Turning Grief Into Support; Metro Mother Creates Group After Losing Son To Gun Violence

A metro mother has turned grief from losing a son into support for others experiencing the same loss. Stephanie Howard’s 22-year-old son was shot and killed outside the Sunset Bar in Midtown on News Year’s Day.

Howard is holding a ceremony on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma City to coincide with the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Howard said it will be a time to remember her son and the other lives taken.

Howard carries memories of her loved one close to her heart. She wears ribbons pinned to her son Daniel Howard’s football picture.

“Orange is gun violence and red and black is for murder victims,” said Stephanie Howard, started support group.

To cope with the loss of her son, Howard started a support group for metro citizens who have also lost loved ones to murder.

“It was the best thing ever and I felt like that’s what I needed,” said Traci Davis, son was murdered.

The group meets twice a month at 6:30 p.m. at the Ralph Ellison Library in northeast Oklahoma City.

“I had been holding this in for three years and I’m like people need this,” said Davis. “We need to look out for one another.”

They help each other through the tough days.

“Every anniversary which is September 13th,” said Davietta Penn, son was murdered. “I feel the pain, I feel the emptiness.”

A feeling everyone in the group understands.

“It’s like therapy for us but the difference is we can relate,” said Howard.

Howard wants the group to make an impact on the community and find solutions to the gun violence problem.

“Just maybe if the laws were a little bit harder for and not letting people get off easy for a life,” said Howard. “Maybe they might think twice about it.”