Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements in response to the news of the death of Latatia Stewart, a Moms Demand Action volunteer whose life was tragically cut short when she was killed outside her workplace in St. Louis, Missouri. Stewart, a dedicated, compassionate, and resilient advocate, fought for gun safety in East St. Louis to honor the life of her son, Gregory, who was shot and killed on May 29, 2020. Latatia described Gregory as a “loving son, sibling, father of five, and a true friend to many.” Latatia was a mother and a grandmother, raising Gregory’s young children since his killing. Both Latatia and Gregory’s murders remain unsolved.
“Our hearts are shattered by the news of Latatia’s killing,” said Christine Peters, local group lead with the East St. Louis group, part of the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Latatia was a beautiful force in seeking justice for her son, Gregory, who was shot and killed in East St. Louis and whose murder is still unsolved. She was a passionate advocate for solving unsolved murders who fought for justice for countless families, like hers, that are torn apart by gun violence. Latatia was planning a memorial event for her son in the coming weeks. She was raising her grandchildren, Gregory’s children, as her own since his killing. She will be missed by many.”
“This is the daily toll of our violence epidemic. A fierce Moms Demand Action volunteer is gone and the community is forever traumatized,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “Our hearts are with Latatia’s family and community today. Latatia’s strength to advocate for gun violence prevention will continue to inspire us as we fight to end gun violence in this country. Thoughts and prayers are not even close to adequate. We must honor Latatia and Gregory’s lives through action.”
Every day in the United States, 120 people are killed with guns, hundreds more are shot and wounded, and countless others witness acts of gun violence. We are a nation of survivors: All told, 59 percent of adults in America, including 71 percent of Black and 60 percent of Latinx people, are survivors of gun violence, either experiencing gun violence themselves or caring about someone who has experienced gun violence in their lifetimes. But tragically, countless survivors of unsolved gun crimes in America never have their day in court or see accountability for those responsible, and are denied a sense of closure for themselves, their families and their communities. For survivors of unsolved gun homicides, the pain of having a loved one taken by gun violence is compounded by not having answers or seeing justice served.
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, in East St. Louis and across the country, is committed to honoring Latatia and Gregory’s legacies today and every day by fighting for common-sense gun safety laws and increasing public awareness efforts to improve unacceptably high rates of unsolved gun assaults and homicides and how they impact survivors and communities.
Anyone with information on the murders of Latatia or Gregory Stewart is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous.