Teen who went viral for her touching essay on gun violence killed by stray bullet

Sandra Parks became famous for her winning essay on gun violence. Sadly, she has become the latest victim of that which she condemned.

Two years ago when she was in Sixth grade, Sandra wrote a stirring essay on the effects of gun violence in her community in Milwaukee. That article read in part:

"Sometimes, I sit back and have to escape from what I see and hear every day. In the city in which I live, I hear and see examples of chaos every day. Little children are victims of senseless gun violence. …Many people have lost faith in America and its ability to be a living example of Dr. King’s dream!”

BBC reports that Sandra also had a radio interview last year where she expressed a strong desire to “stop all the violence and... negativity.”

"All you hear about is somebody dying and somebody getting shot. People do not just think about whose father or son or granddaughter or grandson was just killed," she said.

THE TRAGIC NIGHT

On the evening of November 19, while watching TV in her room, Sandra, aged 13, was struck by a stray bullet.

The Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association shared the sad news on their Facebook page and asked: “How many more children must we lose to gun violence?!” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett also described the situation as "insanity."

“Sandra was special. She didn’t deserve to leave this world like that.”

STRONG TO THE END

Sandra’s sister, Tatiana Ingram, spoke amidst tears about the tragic night. “My sister took it like a soldier,” she revealed, adding:

“She just walked in the room and said, ‘Mama, I’m shot.’ She was only hit one time, in her chest. The bullet wasn’t even for her.”

A MOTHER'S PAIN

The bereaved mother, Bernice Parks, also said in an interview with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“My baby was not violent. My baby did not like violence. She was my angel from the time she was in my womb to the time she came out.”

Until her death, Sandra was a student at the Keefe Avenue School in Milwaukee.

TWO MEN ARRESTED

Madamenoire reports that the Police are still investigating a motive for the shooting, but two men -- Isaac D. Barnes, 26 and Untrell Oden, 27 – have been arrested in connection with the shooting. On Wednesday, November 21, the men were charged with first-degree reckless homicide and other counts in the teen’s death.

Folks who knew Sandra described her as a bright teenager with love for writing poetry. “Sandra was special,” said a heartbroken Bernice. “She didn’t deserve to leave this world like that.”