Funeral service held for Akyra Murray, youngest of the Orlando massacre victims
More than 600 people gathered at a West Philadelphia church Friday to remember the promising life of West Catholic Prep graduate and star basketball player Akyra Murray, who was among the 49 people killed at Orlando's Pulse nightclub on June 12.
More than 600 people gathered at a West Philadelphia church Friday to remember the promising life of West Catholic Prep graduate and star basketball player Akyra Murray, who was among the 49 people killed at Orlando's Pulse nightclub on June 12.
Amid the tears and hugs, uplifting songs, dancing, and a few jokes, Murray's friends and family promised to remember her athletic gifts, her academic achievements, and her positive spirit.
Many at the four-hour service, including Murray's family, wore red, the young woman's favorite color.
Mourners began to arrive at Monument Baptist Church at 50th and Locust Streets at 8 a.m. and slowly filed past the open casket as a four-piece band played soft tunes.
Among those attending were Tiara Parker and Patience Carter, who were with Murray celebrating "Latin Night" at the gay nightclub when Omar Mateen began firing into the crowd shortly before 2 a.m.
Carter, who walked in on crutches, was shot in a leg.
Murray, known to friends and family as "Kirra," was at the club celebrating her recent graduation from West Catholic. Last month, she signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Mercyhurst University in Erie on a full scholarship.
At 18, Murray was the youngest of the 49 killed. An additional 53 people were injured during the hours-long siege.
At one point, a wounded Murray called and texted her parents, pleading with them to come get her.
And at another point, Mateen called 911 to declare his allegiance to ISIS and other prominent Muslim terrorist groups. The siege ended about 5 a.m. when police killed the 29-year-old security guard, born in New Hyde Park, N.Y., to Afghan parents.
Murray, a 1,000-point-scorer who graduated third in her class, transferred to West Catholic at the beginning of her junior year. Those who knew Murray described her as an athlete who stepped up for her team, and as a serious soul with a kind and welcoming personality.
Letters sent to the family were read aloud to an audience that included District Attorney Seth Williams, U.S. Rep. Robert Brady (D., Pa.), and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.).
"We have felt this loss," said Mayor Kenney. He spoke to Murray's teammates and suggested they organize an annual basketball tournament in her name.
"Wrap yourself around something in her name and keep her memory and spirit alive," Kenney said.
"She just wanted to be the best," recalled her brother, Alex. "She will truly be missed. I love you, Kirra."
Ever-present during the service was the acknowledgment of how Murray was killed.
The names of all 49 victims were read during a moment - minutes, actually - of reflection. Headlines of the shooting were shown during a video tribute, amid the family photos, selfies, and pictures from her many basketball games.
The Rev. Charles McNeil Sr., pastor of Transfiguration Baptist Church, read a long list of mass shootings preceding Orlando.
"Gun violence did not start in Orlando, and in all likelihood, it will not end there," he said.
McNeil urged those in attendance to have faith.
At the end of his eulogy, he called Murray's friends to come forward and stand behind the teen's family.
"Akyra was full of life," he said as he encouraged them to keep in contact with her family, visit, and love her family, " ... so Akyra's memory lives on."
In addition to her brother, Murray is survived by parents Albert and Natalie; sister Ayonna; grandfather Nathaniel Logan; grandmother Oriellee Murray; and a niece.
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Staff writer Emily Babay contributed to this article.