Mother whose son was killed by gun violence in Montgomery works to get parents involved in fighting crime
A Montgomery mother who lost her son in a shooting at a club ten years ago wants to get more parents involved in her effort to fight the violent crime in Montgomery. Torian Hamilton is a mother on a mission. She started the non profit organization “Positive Parents Have Power” as a way to deal with her grief after her son was tragically killed in the Capitol City. Torian Hamilton lays down in the exact spot on the road her son was carried to after he was shot in the Centennial Hill Bar and Grill. When she received the phone call that he’d been injured, she rushed to the hospital to be with him. “There were nine people on my child trying to resuscitate my child and save him. It was like a dream. I had never seen that many people (trying to save someone) unless it was on a movie. He lived for five days. I understood God’s will,” Torian says.
Her 20 year old son Timnarius Hamilton had graduated from high school and had big plans. Tim had only gone to the club that night to see a local musician perform. “Our young man was excelling and going to Florida. He never did get to meet that dream. He was a funny, special, kind, respectful, thankful young black male. He loved his parents and loved his family,” Torian says. Local rapper Doe B and 21 year old Troy University student Kimberly Johnson were also killed in the December 2013 shooting. Doe B, whose real name was Glenn Thomas, had signed with rapper T.I.’s Atlanta-based group “Grand Hustle.” Kimberly Johnson was a junior social work major and celebrating her 21st birthday on the night she was killed. “There are so many different clubs that they need to raise the age now to 25 and up, 30 and up, I don’t care. I need these parents to come together and there are so many clubs that have been open and this was supposed to be a bar and grill. It was supposed to close at 12. It was open until 2 something in the morning,” Torian says.
Lisa Holt says, “I want to help her to get the west side revamped. We’ve got to get something over here for these kids to keep their minds busy. Instead of picking up a gun, pick up some art, learn gymnastics, karate, lets teach them golf, bowling. Let’s keep them active, let’s keep the community alive instead of killing it off.” Lisa Holt also knows the pain of losing a young family member. Her 21 year old niece Johnneshia Harris was killed in a vehicular homicide in 2022. Both woman believe getting involved and encouraging other parents needs to be a community effort. “It’s time for you to raise what you gave birth to. It’s time for you to show them the right way to live. We were taught it, but we have to pass the torch,” says Lisa Holt.
It may seem surprising, but Hamilton is trying to raise money so she can purchase the Highland Avenue property where her son was shot. She wants to turn it into a positive place where parents can meet together, talk, and get the help they need for their families. Positive Parents Have Power is hosting an anti-gun violence walk at Gateway Park on Saturday, May 25. It starts at 8 in the morning and ends at 2pm. You can find out more information about the free event by calling (334) 651-6513 or emailing PPHPTIM@GMAIL.COM.
