Our Family's Plead For Help

Hi, my name is Brianna Hughes. My family and I are reaching out to you due to the tragic death of my amazing mother, Amanda Duplantis, on the Sunday night of August 30th, 2015. As a typical night rolled along, my boyfriend, Damon Armstrong Jr., and my mother sat on the back patio at our home holding a normal conversation. A conversation just so happened to be about me. In her last moments, I was on my mother's mind.  Around 10:00 p.m., a man, my ex-stepdad, Casey Duplantis, dressed in black, emerged from the darkness. Equipped with a glock, without warning, Casey ambushed my mother and Damon. As Damon witnessed, my mother received the first gunshot to her upper back, and the second (fatal) gunshot to her face. Miraculousely, Damon managed to make it in the house physically unharmed. He then proceeded to evacuate everyone (my family) out of the home through the front door. Running for their lives through the darkness of Mulberry, Gable was the main concern. Gable repeated, "keep running, or he's going to kill us, too." That is an absolutely disturbing statement coming out of an 11 year old's mouth. After seeing them to safety in a random, kind-hearted man's home, Damon ran back to Forest Blvd to prevent me from becoming a witness or victim of Casey's actions. Luckily, police had already swamped the housed. Crime Scene tape stretched from yard to yard. The sight of this devastated me to another level. Our beautiful mother was taken from us in cold blood. 

Now I am left with my thirteen year old sister, Victoria, and an eleven year old brother, Gable.  Damon and I are both currently enrolled in college at Fletcher, Victoria is in the 8th grade at HJH this year, and Gable is in the 5th grade at Mulberry Elementary. My biological father deceased when I was only a baby. With no parents, stable home, or stable life, we are desperately reaching out to each and every one of you for ANY financial help. My family and I will not receive proper closure if we cannot hold a funeral for my mother. If there are any donations remaining after all funeral expenses, the funds will be used for the neccessities of my younger siblings. Family  therapy is one of my priorities as soon as possible. Damon is currently suffering from severe PTSD, and I'm praying Gable and Victoria are able to cope better. My loved ones are strong people, and they are my backbone. If you cannot donate funds to help our cause, we completely understand. Do not feel bad. What you can do is donate us your prayers. In you we trust, and in God we trust. Thank you All.