My son, Marcus Deon Golden, was full of life. He was a devoted father of two children, a man whose future was bright and whose heart was big. But on March 30, 2021, his life was senselessly taken by a bitter and cruel neighbor who chose violence in the worst possible way.

That day, Facebook was simply waiting for the police outside his home, hoping for resolution and peace. While he stood there, he was on the phone with his fiancée — she heard it all. She heard the gunshots, the terror in his voice, and the unbearable sound of him struggling to breathe as blood filled his lungs. My son was left to die, choking on his own blood, without the chance to say goodbye, without the chance to live the life he deserved.

As a mother, I carry this grief every day. The pain of losing Marcus, of knowing the brutal way he was taken from us, is something I cannot fully express. His children, his fiancée, and all who loved him are left to pick up the pieces, haunted by the violence that cut his life short.

I’ve worked tirelessly since that awful day as part of Mothers Impacted by Gun Violence (MIGV) President and as a lifelong advocate to ensure no other family has to endure what we have. I’ve collaborated with the City of Seattle, Safe and Thriving Communities, and even helped establish the Evergreen POMC chapter for Parents of Murdered Children, all in the hope that justice and healing can come from this devastating loss.

Marcus deserved so much more, and in his memory, I will continue to fight for change, by supporting surviving mothers impacted by gun violence.