​ Bailey Elizabeth Rogers 

In St. Louis, and every major city in America, there is a community of parents that every member wishes did not exist; parents who have lost a child to gun violence. Inspired by a traveling memorial created by Missouri Moms Demand Action, and a lyric from The Killers' 2019 protest song “Land of The Free”, this series steps inside that community and introduces you to a handful of parents who have faced the unthinkable. Combining photos and interview highlights, I tell the stories of the children these parents have lost, the never ending grief they endure, and how their lives have been transformed in the wake of their pain.

 

Since beginning work on this project in November of 2024, my life has been forever changed by every single parent I have met, their children, and the many stories and memories they have so bravely shared with me. I entered their world as an outsider, asking that they not only relive the worst moment of their lives with me, but be comfortable sharing that experience with strangers far and wide. Six months later, I have come out as a storyteller embraced in their community. These parents shared some of their innermost feelings with me. They recounted in graphic detail things like arriving at the crime scene searching for answers, the moment the doctor broke the news of their son or daughter’s passing, and their very first look at their child's dead body. They expressed great anger at how they were treated by hospital staff, dysfunction in the criminal justice system, lax gun laws, and the societal issues that lead to homicide being seen as an acceptable decision. They shared their sadness for the families of their child’s killer. But among all the pain, they also expressed so much joy. They told me about the best parts of their child. Their favorite memories. The things that drove them crazy, and the speed bumps they encountered along the way but were able to work through. They shared so much love. They shared about the newfound family they gained in this community of grieving parents. And they shared the hope and purpose that has come out of their pain, as their life has become about living in a way that honors their child. They handed me 100% of their hearts, and for that I will be forever grateful.

 

The stories we've told together through this series are meant to bring humanity to this epidemic, with the goal of creating awareness and inspiring action towards change. My hope is that by highlighting the individuality of each story, and looking at each victim as someone's child, people will feel this crisis on an emotional level, not just see the statistics. With gun violence now officially a public health crisis, it is imperative that we use these stories as a catalyst for change, and prevent even more parents from joining this community.