LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Rather than celebrating the day, a grieving Little Rock mother spent her son's birthday without him.
October 9, 2024, would have been Marquis Harper's 22nd birthday, but instead, the day marked a solemn occasion. Harper was tragically shot and killed one year earlier on October 25, 2023, while he was at a hair salon on Mabelvale Cutoff.
On Wednesday, his mother, Mary Franklin, held a balloon release at the Elmlawn Cemetery in Little Rock where Harper is buried.
Franklin explained how the event served as a way to honor and remember her son on his birthday. However, her only wish on his big day was to find out who is responsible for his murder.
"I'm not letting up, I'm not stopping, I'm not giving up. If I got to do whatever to get justice then I will," Franklin explained.
She has been working closely with the Little Rock Police Department and the FBI to figure out more information about her son's homicide.
"I don't wish this pain on anybody. You have to pray and to continue to be strong. If you know who did it, call the police [and] let them know," Franklin said.
She also explained how as a mother being kept in the dark about what happened to your child is the worst pain someone could ever experience.
"It's just horrible. I get no sleep, I can't eat, I am just stressed. I need justice for Marquis," Franklin said.
Now all that's left are memories and a family who loves him. A family who all echoed the same message out to the community saying that they want justice.
The Little Rock Police Department said the investigation into his death is still ongoing and they urge anyone with information to reach out to them.
