Ridgeland, South Carolina, resident Lahoma Scott founded Families Against Gun Violence in 2014 after her nephew Dominique was fatally shot, with no witnesses coming forward at the scene. This spurred her to create a support group that’s now run monthly meetings for over a decade, focusing on grief counseling, gun safety education, and urging people to report what they see to police.
Following a fatal Christmas Eve shooting in the area, Scott reached out to affected families and held a candlelight vigil on Saturday to honor victims and foster community dialogue. She hosts similar events year-round, emphasizing openness during grief: “They can see that the community cares.”
This story highlights grassroots efforts in Jasper County (where Ridgeland sits) amid South Carolina’s ongoing gun violence challenges—state data from 2024 shows over 800 firearm homicides annually, often tied to unsolved cases due to witness reluctance. Scott’s group fills a gap by blending emotional support with prevention advocacy.
