PLANT CITY, Fla. — People across the country are gathering to remember loved ones who have passed due to gun violence in their communities. Here in the Tampa Bay area, Mayor Jane Castor signed a proclamation marking June 7 National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

What You Need To Know

  • Connie Shaw is shining light to her son's unsolved case in Plant City

  • Zonte’Veon Shaw was killed in Plant City on Christmas night

  • June 7 is Gun Violence Awareness Day

For some families in the area, they are continuing to fight to protect others from guns.

That’s the case for Connie Shaw.

“He always wanted to see you happy. He loved his big brother, he loved all his family,” she said of her son, Zonte’veon Shaw. She lost her son to gun violence last year.

“He has a daughter that now we have to raise. They took him away from her,” she said.

According to a police report from the Plant City Police Department, the incident happened on Christmas night at the corner of Louisiana Street and South Morgan Street.

One other victim was found at the scene who also died. Zonte’veon was found two days later, deceased, in a nearby cemetery.

“We can’t bring him back, so somebody needs to pay for what they’ve done and we need justice,” said his brother, Monte Shaw.

Almost six months later, and Connie and her son Monte say they want to bring awareness to gun violence in the community.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40,000 people nationwide died due to gun-related injuries. That was in 2021. The most recent year complete data is available, the CDC said.

Connie says that one is too many, and it is why they are pushing for more to be done in smaller communities like Plant City.

“We need to talk to these youth about guns and how you don’t have to use guns as a source of violence. It’s about talking,” said Connie.

They’re working to get the attention of local leaders to bring resources to community members who have been impacted by gun violence.

They hope it will keep Zonte’veon’s memory alive and help others.

“It’s time to stand up, time to speak out and let us hear your side of the story,” Monte Shaw said.

In the meantime, the family says they are taking it day by day in hopes that one day they’ll have that closure, and no other family must experience what they have.

Spectrum News reached out to the Plant City Police Department for a comment on where the case stands but have not heard back. The family says they will be celebrating his life next month on what would have been his 31st birthday.