Park dedication provides lasting legacy for Markiya Dickson

By Debora Timms

For Ciara Dickson and Mark Whitfield Sr., Saturday, May 20, was filled with mixed emotions. They were in Fonticello Park for the dedication of the Markiya Dickson Imagination Zone, which recently was installed in honor of their deceased daughter.

Nine-year-old Markiya was shot in the park, then known as Carter Jones Park, during a community Memorial Day cookout in 2019. She later died at a hospital. An 11-year-old boy and man also were wounded by gunfire.

Three men were convicted in relation to the shooting that took Markiya’s life. Jesus Turner, convicted of first degree murder, malicious wounding and gun charges, was sentenced to 33 years in prison in October 2021. Jermaine Davis and QuinshawnBetts, who were

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