MEMPHIS, Tenn.– Kirsten Williams’ family will say their final goodbye to the seven-year-old this weekend.
The little girl was gunned down playing outside in a yard on Durby Circle when the suspects drove by and opened fire.
Memphis police said they have arrested the men responsible, 21-year-old Jordan Clayton, 19-year-old Branden Brookins and 19-year-old Carl Johnson.
Police said all three have gang connections.
On Thursday the little girl’s family sent a message to the community; “thank you.”
They said they’re thankful to the community and to the police department for all of their help over the last week.
“The support that was shown has just been tremendous,” said Norris Hamilton, Kirsten’s great uncle.
Trying to remain strong, he was the voice for Kirsten’s large family that have come from all over the country to grieve and support each other.
Through their sorrow, they’ve found a small sense of peace that those believed to be responsible for this little girl’s murder are now behind bars.
“I kinda breathed a sigh of relief,” he said.
The arrests won’t bring back Kirsten but the family said they are thankful one more person might be safer.
“Words cannot express our gratitude for the Memphis Police Department and Director Armstrong,” explained Hamilton.
Hamilton said Kirsten was as happy as she seems in the pictures seen on the news.
He said she was always wanting to be around people and was always outside playing.
“Anyone that came over to the house, most kids are sometimes a little shy and don’t want to be around people but that wasn’t Kirsten,” he said with a smile.
The whole reason Hamilton said Kirsten was outside was because she got a toy at school for being a good student and went to get it at a friend’s house.
“And this senseless crime happened,” he said shaking his head.
It was a senseless crime the neighborhood was constantly reminded of every day as several stuffed animals and a balloon was set up as a memorial on the street.
“Love your family, watch your little ones,” said Hamilton.
He said the world is changing and this crime shows it is becoming more and more dangerous for children to be outside, which is wrong.
Children belong playing outside he added.
Hamilton said he hopes the suspects pay the price.
“To take the life of an innocent child the punishment should be swift and it should be severe and I’m trusting our judicial system to do that,” he told us.
Kirsten’s visitation is set for 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Soul Winner Church in Hickory Hill Friday night.
Another visitation is planned for Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with her funeral following at 11 a.m. at Soul Winners Church as well.
The three suspects charged in the case will appear before a judge Friday morning.
