BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Two days after Christmas, the lives of Sylvia and Louis Blake changed forever. That’s when they received the worst news no parent should ever have to hear.
Their young son, Bradley Blake, 21, had been shot to death in his own car in Pineville after visiting with his girlfriend on Willowood Road.
“He’s truly missed,” stated Sylvia Blake. “It’s hard for me even to imagine making it through the next day without him. Every night it’s just really, really terrible when I’m in bed crying because I realize he’s not coming home.”
Shortly after her son’s untimely passing, the brother of her son’s girlfriend, Deandre Cleveland, and Devonte Gaillard were charged in connection with the crime.
So far, neither men have yet to stand trial.
However, out of the tragedy Sylvia formed The Bradley Blake Foundation, an organization dedicated to crime prevention and helping make the community a safer place to live in.
“Bradley was a giving person. So we are trying to give back the way Bradley would give,” stated Sylvia.
On Saturday, organizers with The Bradley Blake Foundation sponsored a “Community Awareness Day” event in Bonneau which included free food, back-to-school supplies and music.
Bonneau Police Chief Franco Fuda was also in attendance.
“I am trying to stress to the young people that violence is not the way to go,” stated Sylvia. I also want the young people to know that when you murder someone, you not only murder that person, but it’s like you’re murdering the entire family because the entire family’s life changes.”
The foundation has also established the very first support group for families of violent crimes in Berkeley County.
“We are in this together,” Sylvia added. “I don’t know why we have been chosen to be a part of this ‘club’ that no family would want to be a part of. We just need to unite together and we have to find ways to make it through this struggle together.”
To learn more about the foundation, click here.
