MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Monday night marked a Season of Remembrance on the University of Memphis Campus as the city continues to break its previous homicide record.
According to Memphis Police, so far this year, there have been 359 homicides, almost 100 more than the 265 homicides in late November 2022.
Families of the victims were able to find comfort at a remembrance event, hosted by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and held at the U of M.
“It’s nice to have something like this because it lets the people know - and lets all of us know - that the city is thinking about us,” said Denise Cavett, who lost her son Nicholas last year. “He loved to cook, he was a griller, everyone all over Memphis knew him.”
Hundreds of family members of homicide victims placed handmade ornaments on wreaths as victims' names were called out one-by-one during the event.
“Each name that we hear tonight reminds us that our work isn’t done,” said DA Steve Mulroy to the crowd Monday night.
Going into 2024, Mulroy said he wants to see his office help MPD improve their case clearance rate.
“That’s the most important thing that we can do right now, because what really deters crime, more important than the number of the years of the sentence, is the perception among would-be criminals that they will, in fact, be caught and receive some sentence,” said Mulroy.
According to event management, there were more than 300 people in attendance. Mulroy said he did invite the Memphis Mayor, Mayor-Elect, County Mayor, MPD Chief and the Shelby County Sheriff to attend the ceremony, but none of them showed up.