‘Many hurting hearts’ for mother slain in Riviera
GoFundMe account launched to help with funeral costs, two sons.
RIVIERA BEACH — Purple balloons filled the sky in Riviera Beach on Wednesday night as a community gathered to mourn the loss of one of its own.
A crowd of at least 50 came to a vigil held in remembrance of 22-year-old Norriesha Hills, also known as “NaNa,” who was killed Monday night when a lone gunman opened fire on a group gathered outside a Riviera Beach home.
Hills, a mother of two young sons, died at the scene. Five men were also shot; two are hospitalized in critical condition.
The group prayed before they released dozens of purple balloons into the sky — purple was Hills’ favorite color.
“I’m asking you to help this family to be strong, God,” said prayer pastor John Howard. “We’ve got many hurting hearts here tonight.”
As Howard led the group in prayer, family and friends cried on each other’s shoulders. As music played from a nearby car, a woman in the crowd tried to provide comfort to Hills’ mother as she sobbed heavily, her body shaking as her tears flowed.
This will be the third funeral Hills’ mother will have for one of her children. Of her four kids, two WANT TO HELP?
To contribute to the GoFundMe account for Norriesha Hills, go online to www.GoFundMe.com/ norriesha-hills-funeralcosts
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died as a result of gun violence and another of natural causes. Almost two years ago, Hills’ younger brother, Narjaa “Poppy” Frazier, was killed in Riviera Beach. Now, friends and family grieve once again.
A GoFundMe account has been launched online to help cover funeral costs and provide for Hills’ sons. On the donation page, it reads “How much more can a mother take.” As of 5 p.m. Thursday, it had raised $420 of its $5,000 goal.
Hills’ friends said Wednesday that her death was senseless — a case of wrong place, wrong time.
“She got along with everybody,” said friend Arketha Harper. “As long as you did no bad to her, she did no bad to you.”
Harper also recalled Hills’ love for her sons, Nartavious, 6, and Errion, 5. Harper said Hills always wanted the best for them.
Another friend, LaLa Brown, said it was time to end the violence.
Brown recounted how she and Hills met when they were both students at Turning Points Academy and said they quickly became close.
When Brown was struggling with a domestic violence situation, she said Hills stood by her side and helped her find a place to stay.
“She walked to meet me in the dark,” Brown said.
After the prayer ended and the balloons were released, people stood in near silence, looking at the framed picture of Hills and her children.
“She was a sweet person,” Brown said. “She was always there for people who she loved.”
City police have said Monday night’s shooting on the 2100 block of West 28th Street was targeted. However, they haven’t said whether Hills was the intended target, nor have they commented on possible motives.
Riviera Beach police identified the injured victims Tuesday as Decobe Williams, Pierre Charles, Reginald Minor, Jamal Forrest and Deandre Witherspoon. Charles and Forrest remained in critical condition and Williams in fair condition Thursday at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Minor and Witherspoon were released from the hospital Tuesday.
No arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon.