“It’s like it just happened yesterday,” said Melesa Murry. “The pain is still there. It’s unbearable. It’s excruciating.”

Murry is the mother of 20-year-old Tre’Jan Sales, who was fatally shot in the head on June 5.

“I would never wish this pain on no mother,” said Murry. “I would never ever want this kind of pain to be in nobody’s households.”

Although Murry’s heartache still lingers, she says it’s her job to help stop the growing gun violence in Syracuse.

She, along with Mothers Against Gun Violence, OG’s Against Gun Violence, Rebirth SYR, Street Addiction Institute, The Connect Church, Syracuse Community Connections, the Mayor’s office, OnCare TAY Project, and the Well of Hope Church, released more than 200 orange balloons throughout the city.

“We’re trying to touch different parts of town so everyone knows it’s still the same message,” said Murry. “No matter what side of town it is, the pain is all over.”

Syracuse SNUG, an evidence-based program focused on reducing gun violence among youth, organized the event.

They were stationed at the Southwest Community Center.

Program Manager Randy White also lost loved ones to a bullet.

“Over the 90 days, there has been a plethora of gun violence happening here in the city of Syracuse,” said White. “There’s been a number of shootings with injuries and a number of homicides that have occurred, and it’s senseless.”

White wants the community to know there are resources available for victims and those tempted to pull the trigger.

“What we try to simply do is try to change their norms and behaviors in their life,” said White. “We often times give them referrals to mental health physicians, or get them involved with job readiness programs or get them involved with secondary education if they need it.”

White and Murry say the city needs to work together to save their community.

Murry says she doesn’t want to witness another life gone too soon.

“We miss him,” said Murry. “We love him. As long as I have breath in me, they’ll never forget the name Tre’Jan Sales.”