JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A vigil was held on Saturday by the family of an 8-month-old boy who tragically lost his life after he was hit by a car on Lenox and McDuff avenues one week ago.
At the vigil, Pablo’s maternal grandmother Evelyn called him a “bright baby” who had a smile that would “brighten up the room.”
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“He would brighten every room,” she said while explaining the family’s decision to wear bright, yellow shirts on Saturday. “He was our little sunshine.”
Evelyn, while holding Pablo’s brother, Reign, continued to note that Pablo was a happy child who was very loved.
“He loved smiling, loved playing with his brother, he loved his mom, he loved his dad,” she said. “His mom loves him, his dad loves him, this is just a tragic event.”
Pablo’s paternal grandmother, Marie, stood next to Evelyn and held her hand as they both spoke with members of the media.
“This is definitely a tragedy,” Marie said while emphasizing how close the two sides of the family remain despite the loss they’ve experienced. “We didn’t just start to be friends, this goes way back.”
She continued, “We are a God-fearing family...we can’t do anything but press forward. Us lashing out in any type of way, what would that solve? More people being hurt is just not worth it.”
Evelyn shared photos of Pablo with News4JAX and asked that we share the GoFundMe her family has started to pay for the unexpected funeral expenses.
She said any support would help her family and asked for prayers from the community “because we can use all the prayers that we can get.”
WARNING: The details below may be disturbing for some readers.
Pablo’s 20-year-old father has been charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide in the bizarre case.
Police said Justin Golden was arguing with the boy’s mother while they were in their car near Lenox and McDuff avenues.
“The driver (Golden) stopped the vehicle at the intersection, opened the door, and placed the child on the ground,” JSO said. “The driver then began to leave the area and the vehicle struck the child.”
Pablo died at the hospital.
The chaotic scene happened around 11 a.m. Saturday and witnesses saw Pablo’s mother screaming and holding him as he was visibly injured.
Markin Barnes, who owns a barbershop nearby and saw the aftermath of what happened, said he wants to ensure anyone who witnessed what happened and is traumatized has a safe space to talk.
He opened his barbershop to people looking to come together as a community and heal.
