ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 After almost two years of waiting for answers about the death of her son, Tyrek Hill\u2019s mother is speaking out after a jury found Jaylen Edgar guilty in the 2024 downtown Orlando Halloween shooting.<\/p>\n
Teresa Clinton said the verdict brought her a sense of peace, but she believes the case is about more than the punishment of one person. She wants community leaders to address the gun violence and circumstances that can lead to deadly shootings.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I have a peace now,\u201d Clinton said.<\/p>\n
Edgar, 18, was found guilty on all nine counts in the shooting that killed Hill, 25, and Timothy Schmidt Jr. and injured seven others.<\/p>\n
[WATCH: \u2018Just a great kid\u2019: Mass shooting victim remembered as good employee, friend]<\/p>\n
For Clinton, the verdict brought complicated emotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cA part of me feels very disturbed and a little bit sad for the young man,\u201d she said. \u201cBecause we lost not only two lives. We lost three.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clinton said her son had gone downtown with friends that Halloween night to enjoy the evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wanted to enjoy the moment,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd the way that he was standing there, it was that he didn\u2019t expect none of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clinton described Hill as a loving and kind young man who cared about others.<\/p>\n
\u201cTyrek was a very loving, kind, understanding young man,\u201d she said. \u201cHe was a gentle giant. He loved people.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the trial, Clinton said she and Edgar made eye contact in the courtroom. She believes that moment carried a message.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said that was his way of saying he\u2019s sorry because I looked into his eyes,\u201d Clinton said.<\/p>\n
However, Clinton believes he needs to take full responsibility for his actions. When asked what she would have liked to hear from him during the trial, \u201cWhat I would want to hear from Jaylen is a sincere that he\u2019s sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clinton plans to speak during Edgar\u2019s sentencing. But she said her message will extend beyond her own family and the outcome of the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that we can\u2019t stop everything, but we have to be able to pay attention to the things that lead to this,\u201d Clinton said.<\/p>\n
For Clinton, justice is not only about a guilty verdict. She hopes the decision can help spark action to prevent another family from experiencing the loss and pain her family has endured.<\/p>\n
The sentencing is expected to be the next major step in the case.<\/p>\n
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