COMMUNITY GATHERS TO SUPPORT MYERS FAMILY
Mother, two of her children were murdered last month
TROY, N.Y. » Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to celebrate the lives, and support the family, of Shanta Myers and her young children, Jeremiah and Shanise, all victims of a brutal Dec. 21 murder in Troy.
A fourth person, Brandi Mells, Shanta Myers’s partner, was also killed during the attack. Memorial services for her will be held at a later date.
Friends, clergy members and community leaders reminded Myers family loved ones that they are not alone.
“We’ve had a dark night here in Troy, but the stars, you people, have come together and shown love for this family,” said the Rev. Jackie Robinson Sr. “We are with you and God is with you.”
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said the legal community will do everything in its power to bring those responsible for the horrific crimes to justice. James W. White and Justin C. Mann, both of Schenectady, have been charged in the murders. Police have said they believe White and Mann are the two responsible for the incident.
“This is such an incredible outpouring that shows how great the Myers family was and how much they were loved,” McLaughlin said. “The community is going to rally around you.”
Shanta Myers’s oldest son, 15-year-old Isaiah Smith, said, “I just want to thank everybody for coming and gathering around.”
The nearly two-hour-long memorial service was held in the Troy Middle School auditorium. All men in the audience rose and stood to show Smith that they, in particular, are behind him.
A long table, adorned in purple cloth, was set up in front of the stage, where more than a half-dozen large floral arrangements were displayed. Prior to the service, dozens of Myers family photos were shown on a large screen.
Jerry Ford, Troy Boys & Girls Club team volunteer coordinator, remembered Shanta Myers as an enthusiastic kitchen worker.
Jeremiah, called “J.J.”, and Shanise were 11 and 5 years old, respectively.
“Little Shanise used to come in and be a ball of joy,” Ford said. “J.J. would come in and light up a whole room.”
A close friend and basketball teammate of J.J.’s said, “All he wanted to do was go to the NBA. Every time I was mad or sad, he made me smile.”
Troy Superintendent of Schools John Carmello said, “J.J. and Shanise were a shining light to everyone, to every person they came in contact with. That light needs to continue to shine through us. They had so much more to give, so much more to do. They were taken away much too soon.”
The Rev. George William Whitfield is pastor of an AME Zion Church near the Myers’s apartment, at 158 2nd Ave., where the murders occurred. Whitfield said spiritual leaders in Atlanta, where he was attending a conference, immediately began praying for the Myers family and Troy, when he informed them about the crime.
“If one person hurts, we all hurt,” Whitfield said. “We are not going to allow the enemy to take hold of Troy, N.Y. This is not a physical matter, this is a spiritual matter.”
“God is greater than your pain,” Robinson said. “This is a sad season, but seasons change. People near and far are praying for you, so don’t give up.”
The Tri City Mass Choir provided several uplifting musical selections, Alexionah Duncan performed a symbolic dance set to the song, “He’s Concerned,” and Dawn Johnson, a friend and co-worker of Shanta Myers sang a special song called “Friend.”
Danielle Charlestin read a poignant poem she wrote, “When Tomorrow Starts.”
“This is by far the hardest time I’ve had finding words,” she said.