Jacksonville mom honors son killed in 2020 shooting during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – it’s a time to offer support for survivors of violent crimes.

One Jacksonville mom uses this week to remind others that they can survive tragedy after she lost her son to gun violence.

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“I try to honor my son by being happy, that’s a choice I have to make every day because it’s not easy when I get up,” Crystal Anlage said.

Crystal and her husband Mattew Anlage adopted their son Jacquez when he was 15 years old. She describes February 17, 2016, which is the day they adopted him, as the best day of their lives and there were many days like that, up until Jacquez was killed at the age of 20.

Read: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: Opportunity to raise awareness for victims’ rights

“We lost our son 919 days ago to gun homicide,” Crystal Anlage said. “He was shot and killed in the Arlington area on October 17th of 2020.”

In an effort to keep her son’s memory alive and hopefully, one day find his killer, Crystal Anlage created The Jacksonville Survivors Foundation in October of 2022.

“We are focusing on showing survivors how to live again, to experience joy without feeling guilty because that’s a very strange phenomenon that happens with us. We find ourselves in a moment where we are smiling or feel happy and then we have to stop,” Crystal Anlage said.

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She works with JSO’s Cold Case Unit trying to bring more awareness to his unsolved murder case. She said her son’s death is still an active investigation. The foundation also aims to help those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or who are in recovery after being the victim of a violent crime.

“Everybody’s journey with grief is different,” Anlage said.

And that’s why Crystal Anlage showed her support at Monday morning’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week press conference at Jacksonville City Hall. City and state agencies like the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office joined members of The Victim’s Assistance Advisory Council to reiterate that Jacksonville has services geared towards helping victims of crime find support, justice, and peace.

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In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, members of the community will gather for “tossing of the roses,” on Monday at 5:30 p.m. It’s where you throw a rose in the St. Johns River and pay tribute to those who’ve been taken like Crystal’s son, Jacquez.

“I’m never giving up, I won’t stop,” Crystal Anlage said.

Roses will be tossed in the St. Johns River at 111 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville, FL, 32202.

See photos of Jacquez Anlage here

A Jacksonville mother is pleading for help in solving her 20-year-old son, Jacquez Anlage’s, murder.

It’s been nearly six months and Crystal Anlage still doesn’t have any answers in his death.

Crystal Anlage and her husband Matthew told Action News Jax they are heartbroken. She adopted Jacquez when he was 16 years old to help give him a better life.

He was murdered just two months before his 21st birthday and the killer hasn’t been caught yet.

“I’m sure the person that so callously took his life didn’t think about the fact that he had parents that love him. He had a whole bunch of people that love him and miss him,” Crystal Anlage said.

She told Tarancon he had just moved into the Arco Place Apartments in Arlington when he was shot and killed.

Back in October, dozens of police officers and detectives canvassed the area for clues to help find the shooter.

Jacquez Anlage “He loved his dad. He loved his cousins. He loved his grandparents. He loved our friends and he loved our church,” Crystal said.

Crystal said someone knows what happened to her son Jacquez and she’s hoping they speak up.

Jacquez Anlage MAD DADS is working with the family to try and get the word out and First Coast Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of $3,000 for any information that can lead to an arrest and bring Anlage’s family some justice.

Jacquez Anlage

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