CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Grieving families gathered in west Charlotte Thursday night for a solemn vigil to honor  murdered loved ones. The annual National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims event took place at CMPD’s Freedom Division on Wilkinson Boulevard. The memorial, happening the same wee k 4-year-old Caleb Flax was killed in a drive-by shooting in Charlotte. Chief Estella Patterson told the audience, “My heart is heavy and I’m filled with sorrow for every family member that we have lost. Each life taken leaves behind a mountain of pain. It leaves a family forever changed. And a community tasked with the work of figuring out where do we go from here.” The memorial brought out survivors sharing heartbreaking stories. The pleaded with the community to put down weapons and talk through conflicts rather than destroying families. Crystal Ruth lost her father and brother to violence. She says, “If you have a disagreement, you don’t have to shoot somebody, you know, I understand people have their disagreements, but gun violence is not the answer. Families are hurting, mamas are losing children.” CMPD Victim Services urges anyone with trauma prompted by crime loss to connect directly with assistance providers at the Freedom Division. ...read more read less