Community gathers to mourn Plant City murder victims

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]Tonight, community members gathered at McCall Park in Plant City to mourn the four family members, including two small children, who were shot and killed a week ago. From that gathering came plans to ask for accountability. News Channel 8's Emmy Darkis is live in Plant City tonight, and Emmy, such an emotional weekend.

[00:00:22]Ty, absolutely. And about two dozen people came to honor the lives of the two mothers who passed away on May 3rd.

[00:00:30]And after moments of silence and reflection came a vow to ask law enforcement to release more information.

[00:00:39]What's most frustrating is that it's been a week and there's still no named person of interest. And I feel like the police department and the city is sort of tiptoeing around the obvious.

[00:00:51]On Sunday afternoon, some of those who were touched by the loss of a 55-year-old grandmother, a 28-year-old mother, a 4-year-old, and a 4-month-old came together to support each other and grieve. This day would have been a very, very special day for her. She was a young mother. She was 28 years old, and me being 26 with a little one as well, I can only imagine the just the amount of time that they will be now missing out on together as a family, if that makes sense. Some taking the time from their own Mother's Day to be present. It is um earth-shattering that that could happen so close in our community uh to someone that I feel like was on all the right spaces.

[00:01:33]>> The Plant City Police Department has not released the identity of those involved and has not revealed any information about a possible suspect. From this meeting, a resounding conclusion and a vow to demand answers from law enforcement and elected officials. I will go to the police department. I will ask questions. I will make statements and I'll just keep doing it until the squeaky wheel either gets replaced, or it gets oiled.

[00:02:00]Those who were at the gathering this afternoon plan to attend to the Plant City Commission meeting, which is scheduled for Monday afternoon. We continue to ask police for more details on this case. We haven't heard back from them yet. Live in Plant City, I mean our key eight on your side.