Duval County

10-year-old boy who lost his father to gun violence calling for a solution in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Bernard Cason, 10, is calling for a solution to the violence in Jacksonville.

“We need to stop shooting! Because this isn’t what God sends you for. God sends you where you can have a good life, be thankful, pray,” Bernard said.

Action News Jax met Bernard near the scene of the fatal Lackawanna shooting that claimed the life of Kollin Felton, 26. We would later learn Bernard’s father, also named Bernard Cason, was shot and killed in Northwest Jacksonville in 2012.

“I don’t like how people pass away, and I don’t like how my Daddy died,” he said. “I hope the kids don’t pass away, and I hope I don’t pass away.”

Bernard says he wants to grow up to save people from violence and wants to stay far away from guns.

His great-grandmother, Margaret Kitt, tells us his family is teaching him violence is not a solution.

“Hopefully what we’re teaching him will make him grow up to be a better man than people on the street doing all this killing and shooting,” said Kitt.

We shared Bernard’s story of losing his father, and now speaking out against violence, with local youth development strategist, Dr. Jennifer Blalock.

“Never having a cognizant memory of their own father and hearing of the tragedy that befell him here in Duval county, we’ve got to do better,” said Dr. Blalock.

Ten days into January 2020, two local fathers have been killed in shootings in Jacksonville, including Felton, and former Lee High School football player, Malik Brown. She explained how unresolved childhood trauma could be harmful to children who lose parents to gun violence.

“Their brain development is absolutely impacted by the trauma they’ve experienced,” she said.

Dr. Blalock tells us unresolved childhood trauma in our communities, may result in future violent incidents, if unaddressed.

“Early criminal activity or behavior, disruptive and violent behaviors, because that’s what you’ve been exposed to,” she tells us.

Bernard hopes a solution arrives soon.

“I want to pray for people who die,” he said. “And I hope they go to heaven.”

Boy shares message to stop violence Boy shares message to stop violence


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