Turn Tragedy into Joy: Samir's Playground Tribute

A playday at the park I never saw coming.

On Friday June 27, 2025, my four-year-old son Samir, insisted we stop at the park. It was hot that day and the sun was shining so bright, Samir just knew that it meant we would go play in the park. At first, I told him it was too hot, but Samir, being the charming and sweet little boy he was, still persuaded me to take him to the park.

So, I did.

But I didn’t take Samir to the park I initially take him too because I felt like our usual park was too crowded. Instead, I took him a few blocks over to Skinner Park on my only off day.

When we arrived at Skinner Park, Samir along with his four other siblings all jumped out of my car and raced to the playground. But within seconds of them entering the playscape, a form of evil erupted and our day at the park turned into a living nightmare.

As my baby boy was running to the slide, gun shots rang out from a drive by shooter and a bullet hit Samir in the neck. It all happened so fast that I hadn’t even had a chance to exit my car.

My other four children witnessed their baby brother be shot down. And after I was able to get out my car and run over to him.

As I sped to the hospital, I remember looking over at my baby boy who was staring back at me with a look that just said mommy help, I’m in pain—but there was nothing I could do, but pray.

Sadly, Samir passed away on the operating table at the hospital that evening.

This pain is something I cannot describe. No parent should ever have to experience this and no child should ever have to be subjected to the anguish my baby experienced.

Samir, was so full of life. He would have started Pre-K this upcoming school year. His favorite character was Spiderman because he loved to web people whenever they would leave and now I am left wishing there was a web I could have used that day to keep my baby from leaving me.

All Samir wanted to do that beautiful day was play in the park and now, my final wish for him is to give him that day of play—even if it is in spirit.

So, while this is something I cannot even believe I am doing—planning a funeral for my four-year-old--I am asking you for your assistance to help me make his wish into a reality, by turning Samir’s Celebration of Life into his very own playground for the day.