ATLANTA — This weekend marks one year since the tragic shooting near Atlantic Station that resulted in multiple teens being shot and two children, 12-year-old Zyion Charles and 15-year-old Cameron Jackson, being killed on the 17th Street Bridge.
Zyion’s mom said on Friday she continues to feel the emotion of that horrific day and understandably, wasn't up for an interview.
11Alive was able to catch up with Cameron’s mom, Tiffany Smith. She said she wants parents to be mindful of the curfew in light of last year’s tragedy.
“Every time I think about him, it’s like a reality check like, 'This is real?'” said Tiffany Smith.
She said the past year without her son has been difficult.
He was one of the two teenagers who were shot and killed Thanksgiving weekend last year when hundreds of children rushed the 17th Street Bridge after being kicked off Atlantic Station property for breaking the 30363’s code of conduct and the curfew that was in place.
“When I heard that one child was deceased on the scene, It was just fear. Like, 'Oh my god, What am I walking into?' And then when I got to the hospital, I think at that moment is when I just kinda numbed out," Smith said.
Police arrested seven people in connection with the shooting, which has been labeled a gang-related incident.
To avoid a similar situation, Atlanta city leaders implemented a curfew, which they hope will keep kids out of harm’s way.
“At the end of the day, we want you to have a great time. We just need to know where you are. Essentially, the curfew is in full effect 11 p.m. If you are under the age of 18 years of age, we need to know where you are. You need to be supervised so we can make sure you’re safe,” Atlanta city councilmember Keisha Waites said.
As for Smith, she hopes this year parents will not only be mindful of the curfew restrictions but also take the opportunity to bond with their children.
“Create activities, create family outings. Like, do something such that you can engage your children so that they're not out and about. Even create something with their friends, where you can involve their friends with them, where it can be a family activity,” Smith said.
During the past year, Smith said she’s been working to turn her family’s tragedy into a way to help other moms.
“From moms who lost their children, there’s a lot of grief and shame but not only for mom to have lost her children. But there’s a lot of shame around being a good mom and not knowing what to do with your child. And so that’s what we’ve been doing is really providing resources and support to help parents,” she said.
As for the parents of Zyion Charles, his mom said they will hold a balloon release this Sunday, at 6 p.m., the actual day of that tragic shooting, on the 17 Street Bridge to honor her son.