Sunday saw the Justice for Kim march wind its way from the Pierce County Courthouse to the place where the tragedy occurred, a Blackshear home on Ware Street. Family members said their goal is to keep the memory of Kim alive and awareness of her senseless murder in the public eye.
In the early morning hours of October 17, Kimberly Guess was gunned down in the driverway of her home with her children still inside the residence. With few updates to the ongoing investigation by police, Guess’s family has offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of her killer, but so far no one has stepped forward.
It is hoped that the symbolic march from the courthouse to the scene of the crime will help bring justice home for the slain mother of three.
What began as a calm, almost informal gathering of family and friends around the fountain before the courthouse became more emotional as the procession moved down Strickland Avenue, turned up Hendry Street and then turned right, going past the Rec Dept. and moved ever closer to the house on Ware Street.
Kimberly’s mother Shirley Lee led the group of 23 supporters with quiet dignity until tears overcame her a few feet from the front yard. The marchers arrayed themselves there, holding signs and crying out “Justice for Kimberly!’ and “If you see something, say something!”
That last rallying cry is very important to those who loved Guess. All of them are convinced someone saw something, but is afraid or unwilling to speak out.
For Guess’s eldest brother Ricky Thornton, not coming forward makes anyone who knows the truth as bad as the killer. “This ain’t going away, people!” Thornton shouted to the surrounding neighborhood in a loud voice. “And **** cowards too!”
Aided by a small megaphone, another voice was full of another emotion, sadness. “Pretend you’re a little girl, 10 years old, having to call 911 for her mother. Please, if you know something, come forward!” said Guess’s aunt, Kimberly Runyon.
Passing vehicles honked their horns in support and one car even stopped to ask who Kimberly was and what had happened to her. The elderly passenger seemed shocked to learn a young mother had been shot down in her own yard.
Later, voice still full of simmering tension, Thornton had more to say. Asked if he was still angry, Thornton responded, “Angry is an understatement. You hear gunshots, you’re going to look out your window. Everybody around here says it was too dark to see.” Thornton pointed to the the light mounted on a pole at the corner of the yard, “Dark? She got the most lit up yard in the whole damn street. Right under a street light.”
After some time to rest both her legs and her aching heart, Shirley Lee stood up once more. Her cheeks were still damp, but her face held grim resolve. Lee said she was ready to march again. Asking where she wanted to go, Lee said Ware Manor and several of those gathered said if she led they would follow. Before she walked away, Lee said, “I’m not going to stop. I’m not going to. He killed my daughter and he ain’t going to get away with it.”
As for who “he” is, only time and justice will tell.
A family in search of justice for Kimberly. On the Pierce County courthouse steps are (l-r) back row: Britany and Chris Allen, Ricky and Jennifer Thornton and Larry Warren, front row: Donna McKenzie, Cody Allen and Shirley Lee.
