In a mournful gathering on Erwin Street, near the east-side alley where a missing toddler was found dead this week, a crowd of Detroiters held their fists in the air and yelled, "We will do better," a chant that started small and quickly grew to an intense collective cry.
It was a promise to Wynter Cole-Smith, a missing 2-year-old from Lansing whose body was discovered just two days prior. It was a promise to remember Wynter, to not let her killing go without action from the community.
Police say Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, an ex-boyfriend of the girl's mother, Symari Cole, kidnapped Wynter and may have strangled her with a pink cellphone cord after he had stabbed and assaulted Cole on Sunday. He then traveled to Detroit, where police say he disposed of the young girl's body. He's been charged in federal court with kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death, along with numerous other state felonies related to the assault of Cole.
"Don't let that monster poison your heart. There's more kids out here who need you," Wynter's grandmother, Sharen Eddings, of Detroit, said to those gathered for the Friday vigil. Her family created a memorial for her: a large wooden cross, stuffed animals, candles, purple and pink candles.
A gust of wind felt by those at the vigil as soon as Eddings started speaking was enough for Wynter's family to believe she was there with them.
The gruesome details of Wynter's killing sparked fierce outcry throughout the state. Friday's gathering was the second vigil for Wynter, and a third is planned at the Lansing State Capitol on Saturday. Wynter's family is hurting. They are angry. But Eddings said she refuses to give Trice her energy.
"We trust that he's going to get what he deserves," she said. The crowd nodded in agreement, some shouting out "amen." Behind Eddings, family members held one another and cried on each other's shoulders.
More: Suspect in slain toddler's disappearance accused of striking a child last year
More: Suspect charged in kidnapping of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith
Their family will instead remember Wynter for who she was — a small, bubbly, joyful, innocent child who was a light in their lives. Instead, they'll build a stronger community in honor of Wynter.
For Eddings, that means creating STEM scholarships for Detroit kids and speaking out against domestic violence.
"I'm going to do something great in her name, and that's what I want you all to do," Eddings said. The crowd was moved, their heads held up high, following Eddings' words.
Teferi Brent, a community activist, demanded those at the vigil look inward.
"Baby Wynter should be here," he yelled, infuriated. No one should be at yet another vigil, outraged over the killing of a 2-year-old girl at the hands of a man who "doesn't respect Black women," Brent said.
Oliver Gantt, a community activist, said he has asked the city to name the alley after Wynter so no one forgets who she was and what she could have been. And Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield spoke to just how much Wynter's death has devastated the city.
"We all are mourning our Wynter. Our Wynter," Sheffield said. "The family has eloquently stated the need for us to come together because hate can't drive out hate, only love can do that."
Now, whenever Sheffield thinks about Wynter, she said she thinks of Detroit's ability to come together and create change.
"We're better than this as a city — in the namesake of this young child, this innocent baby, let us come together and spread and build more love in our city, and continue to create a village that we need for all of our children to thrive."
Then, Detroiters chanted: "Whose baby? Our baby. What's her name? Wynter."
Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.
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