Wilson mother turns grief into activism after losing son to gun violence

A Wilson mother is keeping the memory of her son alive Saturday evening through a gun violence awareness event.

Dawn Cox lost her 24-year-old son Tylyike Pigford nearly three years ago.

Since then, she has made it her mission to help curb gun violence in the community through awareness events.

"I'm a victor, not a victim. And I want to help other people. And I just want to give back," says Cox.

She turned her grief into activism as part of her healing process.

Pigford was shot and killed at his grandfather's birthday party in 2020.

The people who attended the event have also had their lives touched by gun violence; others simply want it to stop.