Hardeeville Grieves as Friends and Family Honor Shooting Victim
HARDEEVILLE, SC – On a seemingly normal Saturday evening, a vision of togetherhness accentuated the somber mood engulfing the Walsh Drive apartments in Hardeeville as friends and family of a recent shooting victim gathered to celebrate her life and legacy. A flood of red balloons painted the sky, a poignant tribute to the life of Alesia Dykes who tragically lost her life in a double homicide earlier this month.
“She never changed. She was always real,” said Lucretia Jordan, a close friend of Alesia. Indeed, for Dykes’ dear ones, her loss is a gaping void that no amount of consolations can fill. She was a friend, a sister, and an aunt. The woman who dyed the fabric of their lives with her warmth and compassion.
Unforgettable Memories
Recounting a cherished yet heart-tugging memory, her nephew Reuben said, “My name is RJ. But my real name is Reuben. And my auntie would always call me Reuben. And sometimes I didn’t even like that so I’d be like that’s not my name, that’s not my name”. Alesia’s sudden passing, akin to a lightning bolt in a bright sky, has left her loved ones reminiscing such intimate moments.
“She loved to laugh, loved to smile,” Jordan remembers. Theirs is an impalpable loss that only those who have walked in their shoes can truly comprehend.
Community Support & Police Vigilance
The aching hearts found solace in the solidarity of the community at large, who turned out in numbers to pay tribute to Dykes. “I would like to thank everyone that came out and supported mita for her balloon release. That really showed love, we appreciate y’all, thank yall.. she will be missed,” Jordan voiced their collective gratitude.
The solidarity was not limited to the community; it extended to the law enforcement as well. The Hardeeville Police Department made their presence felt at the vigil, further reinforcing their commitment to the community and highlighting their empathetic approach towards law enforcement.
As part of their ongoing investigations, the police arrested Charles Saunders in Ridgeland last week. Saunders now faces two counts of Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime.
The Tragic Postscript
Alesia Dykes and a second victim, Barnard Lyles, were discovered under tragic circumstances in the vicinity of Walsh Drive, the former pronounced dead at the scene while the latter later succumbed to his injuries. Their deaths have since sparked a wave of community mourning coupled with a sturdy demand for justice. As Hardeeville continues to mourn, the promise of justice keeps their hopes alive.
