Family, community share moment of silence before football games to honor shooting victim
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - LaToya Hill was shot and killed in southeast Portland last week. On Saturday, she was honored with a moment of silence before her nephews’ three football games at Roosevelt High School.
“She was loved, man,” said Terrence Hill Sr., LaToya’s brother. “Everybody’s showing love to her.”
Family meant everything to 38-year-old LaToya- Toya, to those who knew her.
“When she walked into a room, you know she’s there,” said Toya’s sister-in-law, Tia Riley. “Makes her presence known - it definitely hypes the boys up to want to show out in the games.”
Tia Riley said she loved to cheer the loudest in the stands at her nephews’ football games.
“Having her in the stands, it felt great,” said Tia Riley’s son and Toya’s nephew, TyVelle. “I miss her.”
Her supportive presence in the stands was missed Saturday.
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Toya was killed in a shooting in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood on Tuesday morning. Kamari Gates turned himself in; the 18-year-old faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and unlawful use of a weapon.
“It hurts my soul to think I’ll never talk to my sister again,” Terrence said. “It’s been rough.”
Terrence was among the family who were recognized in a moment of silence for his sister before the game.
“Being her little brother- obviously I was big bro- she always showed me love, we talked every single day,” Terrence said. “Every day.”
“She was the life of the family. Latoya, she was the energetic one,” added her cousin, Jasmine Causey. “She was all about the kids, all our kids love her. Even though she was my little cousin, she was always that big auntie.”
They say while nothing can make up for such a huge loss, seeing how the community loved LaToya brings a sense of support.
“It’s a blessing,” Terrence said. “It should never take something like that to get love like that, but when something tragic does happen like that, it’s a blessing. The whole town’s showing up for her.”
Toya’s family is inviting the community to a public memorial at Peninsula Park on Sept. 28 from 1-5 p.m.
“We’ve got to stop the violence. Stop the violence, stop the negativity- just got to love each other. That’s what Toya did, she loved each other no matter what,” Terrence said. “She’s not here but she’s still with us. I miss you sister, and I love you.”
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