Franklinton domestic violence vigil cries 'enough is enough'
FRANKLINTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- An army of purple balloons and shirts filled the lawn at Franklinton Middle School Saturday evening to honor victims of domestic violence, and to remember a woman killed by her ex-boyfriend in Franklin County.
The "Army of Purple" gathered in memory of Tracy Williams, who was gunned down one year ago in a domestic violence shooting. Her sister said the loss is still fresh.
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"She was like my lifeline," said Michelle Williams. "I could just see her saying, 'look at this, look at this. Y'all love me that much.' Yeah, we did."
Garry Yarborough, Williams' ex-boyfriend is charged with her murder. He's in prison awaiting trial.
Yarborough had a history of violence. He had been arrested 89 times before the crime.
READ MORE: Franklin County murder suspect has been arrested 89 times
Advocates against domestic violence said Williams did everything to protect herself, short of moving away or going into a protective program.
At the vigil, attendees called on those running for elected office to change laws in order to better protect victims.
"With this election going on, what is their stance on domestic violence? They're not talking about that," Michelle Williams explained. "Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump. They're talking about building a wall. Stop the violence!"
Violence is a subject Latonya Taylor knows all too well. She told the crowd in 2014 she suffered a domestic attack from her husband of 13 years that changed her life forever.
"He shot and killed my mother and my father. I was beaten, pistol whipped. I suffered two gunshot wounds," Taylor told the crowd. "I was shot across my face. And he stood over me and shot me in my heart."
Organizers say don't ignore the warning signs of abuse: controlling behaviors, isolation tactics, and jealousy.
"If a person cannot be who they are in that relationship, then that's a sign that we should look for," said Monica Kearny with Safe Space Inc.
At the conclusion of the vigil, the group released balloons in honor of all domestic violence victims.
