Moms Demand Action hosts gun safety walk

PEORIA (25News Now) - Bloomington-Normal joined communities around the nation this weekend looking for an end to gun violence.

While wearing orange, Moms Demand Action remembered the lives lost to guns in the community. The color is in remembrance of Hadiya Pendelton, a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed in 2013, shortly after her involvement in President Barrack Obama’s second inauguration.

There was also a display of orange t-shirts bearing the names of people killed in Bloomington-Normal.

Representatives from Bloomington and Normal town councils were there, as well as Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington and McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane.

The mother of a February homicide victim, Keijoun Watts, addressed the crowd as one of the latest survivors of gun violence.

“I could lay down every day and cry, or I could get up and keep going,” Talaina Matthews said. “I can live for Keijoun because he doesn’t have a voice and all of us? We can make a difference and we can make a change.”

The McLean County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for Desmond Sterling, 23, a suspect in Watts’ death.

Police released photos of Sterling, who is 5′10′', weighs about 185 pounds, and has a slim to medium build, thin mustache, short black hair, and brown eyes.

Sterling is considered armed and dangerous.

Police said if he’s spotted, do not approach him, call 911 and report your sighting to local law enforcement.

Speakers advocated for safe gun storage, community involvement, and getting people to speak up when they witness crimes.