Written by Marcus Robinson, CCNM Photojournalist
Ten years ago, on May 10th, 2007 Commander Ronald Holt and Fire Chief Annette Holt lives were forever changed. There only son, 16-year-old Blair Delane Holt was shot and killed by Michael Pace as he traveled on an eastbound #103 CTA bus.
Holt stood in defense of a friend, a female schoolmate whom he chose to protect from a gun that had been drawn on the bus they were riding. As shots rang out, Holt was shot and killed in an instant. Four other teens were shot as well as motorist passing by described the horrific incident. Over time, many have forgotten about the shooting even though it gained worldwide attention.
But the Parents of this 16-year-old champion, Blair Delane Holt refuse to let Chicago forget their son. They have continued to lead the fight against gun violence and much more. Both Annette and Ron Holt are still very much active at Percy Julian High School. This is the school their son so proudly attended. For the past ten years, this family and other parents who have lost children to gun violence have been in the spot light to increase the public’s awareness about this deadly crime against humanity. Blair would have been 25 years old but Pace, like other gun-men, cut his life short. Stop the violence…