INDIANAPOLIS — Friends and family of Indianapolis community activist Ron Gee gathered Monday to honor his life and his work.
The ceremony was held July 22 at the very spot where Gee was murdered around 11 a.m. July 18 near 38th Street and North Arlington Avenue.
"Ron Gee was all about spreading love and not hate. Why focus on the negatives when we can focus on the positives?" said Gee's friend, Dee Ross.
The feeling was surreal for many.
"It is hard. I am numb to it. Numb to the pain. We lost a real individual, a real leader in our community," Ross said.
Gee was the founder of nonprofit Cease Fire Indy, focusing on creating positive change within communities and encouraging people to put guns down and instead spread love.
"Everyone wanted to see this city cease fire. He had a glow about him that could bring people together like no other," Ross said.
Remembering Ron Gee
It's a mission Gee's kids are proud to continue in his absence.
"For a man who wanted to change his community for the better and was taken away from gun violence, it does hit different," Renee Frieson, Gee's youngest daughter.
Gee's son said his father was not just an activist.
"He was a great dad, from fishing, camping, all those things I never thought I could do," Ronald Gilmore Franklin Jr. said.
With no arrests having been made in the shooting, Gee's family members are leaning on the community even more.
"Justice to me looks like getting the person off the streets and keeping them off the streets," said Gee's oldest daughter, Asharia Frieson.
But while they wait for justice, this group is focusing on making sure Gee's efforts continue, starting with every balloon released and every candle lit.
"He left a legacy for his kids, and we are going to make it bigger and better. We are just going to keep our dad happy while he's smiling down on us," Renee said.
"In the words of Ron Gee, this is a movement. He always said, 'This is not my movement.' Our community needs to realize enough is enough. These are our streets, and we are taking back our community," Ross said.
Gee's kids said they plan to continue to host Cease Fire Indy events across the city.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.