'When is enough enough?' Ocala leaders call for end to gun violence in Black community CLICK BELOW TO READ STORY.
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Twenty-four years ago, Brennon Battles wanted to be arrested. Now he has a new life.
"I had hit rock bottom in a seven-day-a-week drug habit using everything from alcohol to morphine," he said. "I was really strung out. I had gone from drug seller to drug user when me and my wife separated and I committed armed robbery.
"When I was arrested in Marion County, I said 'Thank you.' I needed to be rescued or I would've died on the street."
Battles, 52, a native of Williston, returned to Ocala on July 31 to add his story and testimony to those of other "ex-cons" sharing experiences during the eighth New Life reunion. An audience of about 200 people listened and celebrated as former prison inmates described how their lives continue to be changed through "God and Christ."
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War Cry 4 Peace has scheduled a vigil for Thursday evening to honor and remember the victims of a shooting that happened on SW 5th street.
Two people were killed, and four others were wounded by a shooter or shooters early Monday at 4:30 a.m., police said.
War Cry 4 Peace has scheduled a vigil for Thursday evening to honor and remember the victims of a shooting that happened on SW 5th street.
Two people were killed, and four others were wounded by a shooter or shooters early Monday at 4:30 a.m., police said.
"My nephew, six months ago, got shot in a drive-by. He got shot in the leg and almost lost his leg. He just happened to be at the party [New Year's Day] and was one of the people to get hit by a stray bullet in the leg again," Tolbert said.
Tolbert also represents War Cry 4 Peace and is focused on helping others who won't get that second chance.
"I'm just really sympathetic for the people. That was their loved ones, over some foolishness. That's what it is. So we go there and listen and understand. We show love and support," Tolbert added.
Now, the Ocala Police Department is calling on the community to help prevent the shootings.
“One thing I do know, from my experience, is it’s going to escalate,” says Rev. Darrell Tolbert of L-Jireh Ministries in Ocala. “That’s what it does...crime escalates.”
Rev. Tolbert speaks from experience, having been involved in violent crime once himself, selling drugs, and losing loved ones.
“I had a cousin real close...a guy was trying to kill me. She took my bullets because she was standing beside me,” Rev. Tolbert recalls.
That’s why Rev. Tolbert says it pains him to see what’s happened in Ocala recently with at least five shootings reported just this month.
A large number of shootings across north central Florida in the past week have many people concerned-- and some people are taking steps to stop the violence.
“My cousin’s house was the family house. In the hood we have the family house, everybody hangs out there. You have the older people playing cards, spades, and the kids running around,” Tolbert said.
Tolbert said on that fateful night, he was visiting his cousin Telva Burton before a date at the movie theater, but as he was about to leave, he heard his cousin scream.
“Darrell, Darrell, help. He’s beating her up,” Tolbert said.
He went around to help her and as they came around to the front of the house, he saw a person with a gun.
“And I hear the shots, pow, pow, pow and the bullets are coming so close they’re whistling,” he said.
That night Burton was shot and killed. She was 18-years-old and left behind a son and a daughter.
Tolbert said, as a drug dealer, he was in and out of jail after that incident, but it would be something that changed his life.
“It’s in there that I really started reading and studying for myself, and getting close to God,” Tolbert said.
And now on his birthday, and the anniversary of his release from prison he will be going back to this house to speak out on gun violence.
“You see I planned this event in January, when I planned this event and I find it ironic that it’s happening right in front of the event. It’s only increasing. The church can not just sit inside the walls and pray. You got to get out there. You have to be vigilant like Martin Luther King. He got out there. He marched and brought awareness to what’s going on,” Tolbert said.
A large number of shootings across north central Florida in the past week have many people concerned-- and some people are taking steps to stop the violence.
Just one night can change a life.
For Darrell Tolbert, it happened at his cousin’s home in west Ocala, 32 years ago.
Activists are now calling on the state attorney to upgrade the charges for Owens' alleged killer, Susan Lorincz.
Lorincz is currently facing first-degree felony manslaughter with a firearm — which many would like see changed to first-degree murder.
Activists also used the time to call for policies to end gun violence in communities, like Ocala.
Kimberly Wilkerson's organization War Cry 4 Peace put together Wednesday’s vigil for Owens.
"We help families who lost a loved one to gun violence. We go in and we try to support them as much as we can," said Wilkerson.
War Cry 4 Peace helps put on prayer vigils, as well as comfort families, both mentally and financially. As for Tolbert, he continues to speak out against an issue he holds close to his heart and hopes families, like AJ Owens gets the justice she deserves.
"Hopefully this wakes the community up. Hey, all violence, all gun violence is unacceptable," said.
Dr. Darrell Tolbert is a pastor and community activist for War Cry 4 Peace. He’s seen gun violence first hand.
"Let them know, listen we’re not going away. We think this is injustice and we’re going to plead for justice," said Dr. Darrell Tolbert, "That’s why I speak out for the community because I use to be the problem. Now I’m the solution."
In another life, Tolbert was involved in drugs, after seeing his cousin shot and killed, he changed his life around. Now stands against gun violence. Something he’s seeing a lot of in his hometown.
"Death is a part of life. But murder robs you of life," said Tolbert.
Tolbert is speaking at another vigil Thursday, it happens to be his 17-year-old cousin who was shot and killed last week.
OCALA - Darrell Tolbert wanted to stay on the straight and narrow when he was released from Marion Correctional Institute in 1999, but the road would be tougher than he had imagined.
He knew he never wanted to sell drugs again, but the fast money found in the street life was enticing and easily eclipsed the $7 an hour he was earning as a cabinet maker.
To compound the matter, child support payments claimed most of the check he brought home, leaving him with little left at the end of each month.
But every day he reminded himself: "My worst day out here is better than my best day in jail."
During his stint behind bars, Tolbert started nurturing a relationship with God. He started a ministry with another inmate, Noble Washington. They passed out tracts and served as models for Christian living.
Tolbert also wrote a book, "Why Am I in Prison?" to help inmates understand God has a purpose for their lives in spite of their situation, he said.
