JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Amber Bass, 22 and Shelby Farah, 20. They were two young women whose lives were stolen exactly one year ago this weekend.
Their murders happened one day apart, sparking outrage in the community. Bass's murder remains unsolved, while the suspect in Farah's death is awaiting trial. The tragedies have brought both families together.
"It seems like yesterday," said Darlene Farah. Farah's daughter, Shelby Farah, was shot and killed during a robbery while working at a MetroPCS store on North Main Street.
"I used to always think about the things she didn't get to do then right around Mother's Day I thought 'Darlene why are you doing this to yourself? Think about the good things'," said Darlene Farah.
For many Shelby Farah was more than a MetroPCS store clerk. She was a role model to many children whom she mentored while volunteering as a cheerleading coach at a local elementary school.
"Shelby put a lot of love into many people's lives. I didn't realize how many until after this happened," said Farah.
Only a day before, another local family mourned 22 year-old Amber Bass. She was murdered in her own driveway.
One month later, 13 year-old Jazmine Shelton and 14 year-old Megan Simmons were shot and killed, and about two months after that, sisters Keyonna and Keshell Brown were also murdered along with two other men. All of those cases remain unsolved.
Compassionate Families lead victim-advocate Ryan Backmann is working to pass legislation that would create a task force to help bring justice to unsolved cases.
"This is a public safety issue. Every unsolved murder is a murderer walking the street," said Backmann.
According to Farah, the community needs to do its part, too.
"The community needs to step up and speak, too, because it could be their child it happened to," said Farah.
This Sunday, Shelby Farah's life will be remembered at the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, in Springfield. The service begins at 6 p.m. with a moment of silence at 6:33 p.m. marking Shelby Farah's time of death.
WJAX
