BATON ROUGE, LA (Bula Proud) — A birthday balloon and a number 4 balloon are placed on the grave of little Devin Page Jr. This is a birthday celebration no mother would dream of.
January 6th is Devin’s fourth birthday. His family and friends gathered at his grave to throw balloons and throw an intimate birthday party.
“I had to do this today to stay sane,” said Cathy Tolliver, Devin’s grandmother. “My daughter Tai wanted to celebrate his birthday as if he was still here.”
In April Devin was killed by a stray bullet while sleeping in his bed in Baton Rouge. said. She has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the real estate company that owns her property.
At the family’s request, the East Baton Rouge Metro Council passed an ordinance called the Devin Act. Adequate safety lighting is required for rental properties. The family says it may have saved Devin’s life.
“I almost passed out when I pulled over at the graveyard because it was just my senses. The last time I was here was when I buried him,” Kathy Tolliver said.
Kathy Tolliver campaigns against gun violence. Four days after her new year, Button’s first murder occurred in her rouge. Tolliver called this incredible.
“I’m hurt, just hurt,” she said. “Let me tell you now, there is an urgency in my spirit to shout out to this city.”
Even those who didn’t know the Tollivers personally, like Serena Charles from Houston, came to Louisiana to celebrate.
“I just have my heart for my family,” Charles said. “Communities need to come together.”
Kathy Tolliver says she’s starting a new initiative with community members, including police, to set goals for the new year.
Police have not made any arrests in Devin’s case.
