JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As a Jacksonville family prepares to say goodbye to a 16-year-old shot and killed at a school bus stop, other mothers who have lost sons to violence said it's a pain no other parent should endure.
With Christmas a week away, Genea Watkins said this holiday will be hard. She'll be spending it without her son Adrian, whom they called AJ. The 18-year-old was found murdered in a ditch in February after going to a party.
"Our tradition was to get ornaments for every one of our children every year, so I pulled out his ornament, and I just bawled," Watkins said.
Adrian Watkins (pictured) is among about a dozen teenagers killed in Jacksonville this year by gun violence.
The latest, Devron Crowden, sparked a community outcry, meetings and even protests, as community groups look for a solution to crime in their communities.
Genea Watkins said it's a good start but believes real change starts at home with parents.
"They have to start teaching the children respect and not being mean and to care for one another," she said. "If you see something going wrong, you need to speak up and let somebody know."
One parent said Thursday that she believes there has to be more for kids to do, like events or sports for them to participate in. Another said one thing that's frustrating for her is people placing blame, especially on parents, because she said often they are doing all they can to keep their children on the right track.
Duval Public Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti is encouraging parents to spend 10 minutes a day talking with their kids. But Genea Watkins admits it can be challenging to get teens to listen, something she experienced firsthand with her son.
"There was an incident that happened prior to him getting killed, and we want to keep him home, and he was like, 'Mom, I'm 18. I know what I'm doing. I'll be back,'" Genea Watkins said. "And that was the last time we ever saw him."
Still, she said the community has to keep trying, because it will take a village to see true change.
"At least go to their parents. Speak up," Genea Watkins said. "Don't just turn a blind eye and let it go."
Police arrested 17-year-old Gregory Robinson and charged him with Adrian Watkins' murder. Police have made no arrests in Crowden's murder.
Crowden's funeral is Saturday, and investigators are still asking for anyone with information on his death to come forward.
You can call CrimeStoppers and remain anonymous. The number is 1-866-845-TIPS.