A vigil is being held Tuesday for a Springfield mother and her 4-month-old baby who were killed in a drive-by shooting earlier this month.
Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, were killed in the shooting in Hartford.
Lance “Macho” Morales, 23, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, first-degree assault, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault and murder with special circumstances.
“Solidarity divides grief, and multiplies community empowerment, bringing people together to work toward preventing violence in our community,” Mothers United Against Violence wrote. “We know that responding to this challenge takes an entire community/village coming together!”
Mothers United Against Violence is hosting the vigil at the request of Mercado‘s family.
“MUAV invites everyone to join this family in compassionate concern as we minister in support of this family through this time of grief,” the organization wrote.
It will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 6:00 p.m., at 380 New Britain Ave. in Hartford, which is where the shooting occurred.
Police said a dispute over a vehicle preceded the violent incident.
An unidentified man in his 20s was also hurt by gunfire, police said. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed.
Interim Hartford Police Chief Kenny Howell described the shooting as a “horrific” crime during a press conference.
“You have taken the life, the lives, of an infant and his mother,” he said, speaking to the suspect. “We do not tolerate that in this city.”
