ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A local nonprofit is honoring the lives of those lost to gun violence in St. Petersburg and raising awareness to prevent further violence.
Quis For Life, Inc. is hosting its 5th annual Community Gun Violence Awareness Walk. The nonprofit was founded by Marquis Scott's family after his murder in 2019 and has worked with educators, students, parents and others to curb gun violence in the community.
This year, the organization is specifically honoring the life of Yvonne Abernethy, a St. Pete woman who was shot and killed in June outside her apartment. She was just 25 years old.
Her estranged boyfriend allegedly pulled the trigger and is charged with her murder.
For the Scott family, Abernethy's death hits even closer to home. Yvonne was Marquis' first girlfriend he introduced to his family. Described as a sweet person, they said she continued to support the family after Marquis was killed.
She would show up at events honoring him and the work they do to prevent gun violence through their Quis For Life, Inc. organization.
"She was very loyal and supportive of Marquis, and it's really heartbreaking for her to be gone, but to be gone the same exact way, it's really heartbreaking," Marjorie Scott said back in June. "There's other ways to resolve conflict other than gun violence."
Starting Tuesday, Quis For Life, Inc. is hosting two events aimed at preventing future gun violence. At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the 5th annual Community Gun Violence Awareness Walk will begin at 18th Avenue South & 24th Street South.
On Wednesday, a presentation of the "5 Keys to End Gun Violence Among Young People" will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Center for Health Equity. You can find more information by clicking or tapping here.
