NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — From Tennessee to D.C., the family of Akilah DaSilva, who was killed in the Waffle House shooting, continues their fight to end gun violence.
23 -year- old Akilah DaSilva was killed along with three other people last April when a man started shooting at an Antioch Waffle House. Now his family is working with Washington lawmakers to find solutions.
“My purpose of going to DC was to honor my son with action,” said Shaundelle Brooks, Akilah’s mother.
Brooks and her son, Abede DaSilva said they’re on a mission for change. The two were invited to join former congresswoman Gabby Giffords in D.C.
“We were on Capitol Hill and I'm still in disbelief and we were all standing there,” said Abede Dasilva.
DaSilva’s family spent three days in Washington lobbying for federal gun control.
Giffords and other politicians introduced a bill that would expand background checks for future gun buyers.
Brooks and Abede DaSilva said seeing gun violence victims like Giffords fight for change with so much passion encouraged them to get more involved.
“I was kind of nervous and she just gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek; and she grabbed my hand and my mom said, 'aw this is beautiful' and she was like we'll fight together,” said Abede DaSilva.
“When I first met her I was so emotional, but she is so encouraging, so encouraging,” said Brooks.
Brooks said she would have never imagined a day where she would be an advocate for gun control, but she said she had to for Akilah.
“Now that he's not here in person I feel like it's my duty it's something that I have to do; I have to be his voice,” Brooks said.
Brooks and Abede DaSilva said they were so encouraged by their trip they would like to take a look at finding gun solutions on the state level.
