SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The family and friends of Stephon Clark came together Saturday evening to remember his life after he was killed in his grandmother’s backyard by Sacramento police officers in 2018.
“I just feel blessed to be a part of this,” said one friend of the family.
“Supporting, not only him, his family and stuff of that nature,” said another friend.
On what would have been Stephon’s 29th birthday, attendees honored his life and tried to find solace in each other’s company at Stephon’s House.
“All family matters. It does not matter what nationality, but I just pray for everybody so we all can stick together,” said Sequita Thompson, Stephon’s grandmother.
“He should be alive with us today. The officers who killed him should not be patrolling the streets,” said Sevante Clark, Stephon’s brother.
Days approaching the celebration of life, Stephon's House was burglarized Wednesday morning.
“I felt defeated. After all this happened, I felt so defeated,” Clark said.
Clark estimates items worth around $4,500 had been taken and that the smashed window could cost thousands of dollars to repair.
But on Friday, Clark posted a photo to Instagram of the stolen items returned in a garbage bag with an envelope, which included an apology letter.
A handwritten note explained that “I let my greed take over,” “I was raised better and plan to do better,” and “nothing should have ever been taken in the first place.”
“It is okay to accept an apology,” Clark said. “Whoever did this, I still forgive them, because I too will want to be forgiven for some of the bad things that I have done in my life.”
A life and memory that will forever be cherished.
“Stick together and love one each other. We got to give love back in this world, put some love in it,” Thompson said.