JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three years after her son’s murder, Yvonne Fields gathered with her family this Thanksgiving, marking her first holiday celebration since the tragic loss of her youngest child, Rashaud Fields.
“I have been separated from the family as in just grieving. Wouldn’t go out, wouldn’t do anything,” Fields said. But this year, something changed. “I kinda just got up, you know, took upon myself and say, ‘Hey, I’m gonna come this time.’”
Rashaud Fields was just 18 years old when he was shot and killed on May 23, 2022, mere hours after his high school graduation. The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. in the 10700 block of Pine Estates Road. Despite being rushed to the hospital by Jacksonville Fire Rescue, where medical staff attempted life-saving measures, Fields did not survive. His killer remains at large, leaving his family searching for closure while trying to preserve his memory.
The kitchen bustled with activity as Fields and her family prepared the traditional Thanksgiving feast. A special place was set at the table for Rashaud, a testament to his enduring presence in their lives. “We all know that Rashaud loves to eat. He was a big boy,” Fields remembered with fondness. “This day means a lot to us because we are missing a piece of our families.”
“I put this (picture of Rashaud) here because when we prepare this food and we all say the Thanksgiving blessing, he would not be included out,” she explained. “Even though he’s no longer with us anymore, he’s still gonna be with us.”
For Jaden Snodgrass, Rashaud’s cousin, the loss remains profound. “Shah, my big cousin, he was like everything – funny, caring. If I needed anything, he was gonna make sure I had it,” Snodgrass recalled. He vividly remembers their last Thanksgiving together, filled with food, family time, and football at their grandmother’s house.
Despite the unresolved circumstances surrounding her son’s death, Fields has found a path toward forgiveness. “Yes, I do [forgive them] because I understand that it was a mistake,” she said, though adding, “but the longer you wait, it makes me more angry.”
The gathering served as more than just a family reunion – it became a powerful reminder of the importance of family bonds. “I just wanna tell everyone, if you have a family member, just make sure you cherish that family member,” Snodgrass urged. “Family does argue sometimes, but make sure you still hold that love that you got for your family member.”
Fields concluded with a message to others experiencing similar loss: “Happy Thanksgiving to all the grieving moms, all the moms that’s missing their children, that’s no longer here, and I hope they have a blessed Thanksgiving… Because I know it’s hard missing your loved one.”
Anyone with information about Rashaud Fields’ murder is urged to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500, email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org, or call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS. To receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS(8477) or dial **TIPS (star star 8477) on your cell phone. Callers can remain anonymous.
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