Mom's anti-gang talk recalls son's death

Students at South Middle School remained mostly quiet Thursday as Erica Boynton recalled how her 15-year-old son was shot dead at a party one block from his family's Brentwood home.

"Too many of our young kids are losing their lives in the streets," said Boynton, 38, a home care worker whose son Christopher Hamilton was killed in 2009 because he refused to back down from gangs. "I know you all have potential. You are very smart and intelligent so don't ever let somebody take that away from you."

About 100 eighth-graders gathered in the Brentwood school's auditorium to listen to Boynton, a member of the Brentwood Association of Concerned Citizens, discuss her experience and the dangers of street and gang violence. She spoke about the importance of remaining out of trouble and surrounding yourself with the right people.

"I know there is temptation in the streets," said Boynton, who wore a blue and white T-shirt bearing a picture of her son and the words "Unsolved Murder." "It shouldn't matter what color you wear. You're all from Brentwood. You're supposed to stand together."

She added that students should avoid peer pressure and remain committed to schoolwork and career goals.

The message hit home for at least one student in the crowd.

Malik Jones, 13, of Brentwood, said meeting Boynton put a face on the tragedy of violence his mother often warns him about. "It was helpful because what she said might help kids make better choices," he said. "It made me think that this isn't the safest neighborhood and you have to be careful."

The event was designed to raise awareness about gang violence and inform students about resources available to them should any dangers arise, Brentwood school officials said.

"Having Ms. Erica Boynton here is very important," said Bergre Escorbores, principal of South Middle School. "The students took in the message. I thought it was an important message that needed to be heard."

Boynton said she has been speaking with school officials about appearing at other middle schools and at Brentwood High School later this year.

"She should go to every school in Brentwood," Jones said. "I think if kids took it seriously, this would be a better place."