The Dancing Dolls For Life (DD4L) dance troupe is reeling over the tragic lack of one in every of its members in Jackson, Mississippi.
On Feb. 2, Shakira Gatlin, 19, was fatally wounded by gunfire at a house on the 100 block of Barnes Avenue. Jackson police disclosed that Gatlin had been shot within the head whereas an underaged male was “mishandling a gun.”
Authorities questioned the younger man, and he expressed that the taking pictures was unintentional.
Gatlin’s mom, Erica Robinson, shared the information of her daughter’s loss of life on Fb.
“WHY!!!! WHY!!!!! I simply can’t catch a break!!!! Simply buried my husband NOW I HAVE TO BURIED, MY BABY!!! They deserved to LIVE…PLEASE PUT THEM DAM GUNS DOWN!!! She didn’t [deserve] his!!! Shakira Gatlin momma [loves] you a lot!!”
Gatlin’s passing is particularly troublesome for Robinson as a result of the grieving mother had misplaced her husband to gun violence. Forty-year-old Derrick Robinson was shot to loss of life in Jackson on Sept. 14, 2021.
The dancing magnificence had simply celebrated her nineteenth birthday on Jan. 19. Robinson honored her child woman with a touching Fb publish wishing her blessings.
“Comfortable nineteenth Birthday to my fats fats Shakira Gatlin! I hope your day be filled with blessing!”
Gatlin’s premature loss of life additionally rocked her DD4L household. The troupe’s founder Dianna Williams posted a poignant tribute that highlighted Gatlin’s excellent expertise as a dancer and performer. The video has garnered nearly 100,000 likes.
“We turning up for you child! All month lengthy!!! We love you, Kira!!! DD4L!!!”
Williams additionally requested the group to assist Gatlin’s mom in no matter method they may because of the sudden loss.
“This morning, our voices hold forth for Shakira! As we choose up the items and try and take steps ahead, So many wish to assist and right here is how,” she wrote on Instagram. “Surprising deaths include sudden prices and we wish to assist Erica Robinson handle as a lot as doable. We respect any love providing given……. A lot like to everybody! Click on the hyperlink in my bio.”
DD4L was based in 2010 by Williams. The dance firm focuses on hip hop, faucet, ballet, jazz, pom pom, majorettes, and different types of dance. The group was initially primarily based in Jackson however has since branched out to Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta.
In 2014, the famed dancers and Head Coach Williams’ abilities had been so extremely proficient the troupe had its personal sequence on Lifetime Networks Convey It! for 5 seasons. DD4L’s mission, per its web site, said the group “promotes excessive shallowness, dedication, persistence, excessive educational achievement, group involvement and the significance of well being in younger ladies by the artwork of dance.”
Gatlin joined DD4L in 2015 and was the pinnacle co-captain and drillmaster on the time of her loss of life. Shainelle Richardson has launched a GoFundMe on behalf of Gatlin’s household to assist with funeral bills. They had been in search of $10,000 and have obtained over $11,000 to date.
Our ideas and prayers exit to the 19-year-old’s household, mates and DD4L.
