Tony Cochrane, left, whose 18-year-old daughter, Te’Nya McKinley, was shot to death June 9, is comforted by Guy Burney, the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence program’s executive director, during a Stop the Violence prayer vigil Saturday at Glenwood Community Park in Youngstown. The city has recorded 13 homicides this year.

YOUNGSTOWN — Te’Nya J. McKinley may have been a mere 18 years old, but she already was living a happy, fulfilling life filled with promise — and with a slew of accomplishments in her rearview mirror, several of her loved ones say.

“She wanted to have fun with her friends, and she was family-oriented and goal-oriented,” Cierra Cochrane, 32, McKinley’s older sister, said.

McKinley, a 2023 Chaney High School graduate, was attending Thiel College and served as president of its Black Student Association as well as in student government. McKinley’s desire to improve the lives of others was the impetus behind her decision to study to be a neurosurgeon, her father, Tony Cochrane of Youngstown, said.

That ambition, however, was cut tragically short when McKinley was shot to death June 9 during a “car meet” near Glenwood and Sherwood avenues on the South Side. She was found in an SUV before she died at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. The case remains under investigation.

McKinley was among the city’s 13 homicide victims this year who were remembered and honored at a Stop the Violence prayer vigil and action rally Saturday afternoon at Glenwood Community Park, 2538 Glenwood Ave., on the South Side.

The other 12 for whom candles were lit in remembrance and whose names were read aloud were Allen May, 23; Dominique Callier, 32; DeAndre Clyburn, 18; Tyrone Chatman, 26; Deanna Summers, 29; J. Allen Underwood, 17; Tyrell Hodge, 26; Raymond R. Queener, 33; Kenneth Stoffer, 39; Zariyan Dothard, 19; William L. “Shimmie” Miller, 49; and Angel L. Sostre, 22.

Also in the park is a bench that Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past participants had installed to remember those who have been victims of violence.

“She liked interacting with people and helping people. She always had a big smile on her face,” Jennifer Eiland, McKinley’s stepmother, said. “I never thought something like this would happen to someone like her.”

In addition, McKinley, who was a straight-A student, had recently started a boutique business that aligned with her love of fashion and hairstyles, with the logo “The Mob Fantasy Fashion & Clothing” that sold bathing suits, dresses and accessories, Eiland and Cierra Cochrane said.

McKinley also doted on her 6-year-old sister, Temya, and loved taking her for car rides and ice cream. The two siblings also performed dances together on TikTok, Eiland and Cochrane added.

Much of Saturday’s 90-minute somber gathering consisted of several area religious leaders saying prayers for families affected by violence and against the spirit of violence and retribution, as well as for neighborhoods’ safety, parents raising their children, safety force members, greater church and community efforts to fight against violence and the perpetrators.

The Rev. Samuel Garcia, pastor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Youngstown, read from 2 Chronicles 7:14, which states how Jesus Christ implores his people to humbly pray, turn to him and stop sinning, then he will offer forgiveness and again make their land fertile.

“That land is Youngstown,” Garcia said.

Also during the gathering, Jackie Stewart, a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, lit candles as each name was read aloud.

The city has experienced a recent uptick in violence, and it will take the efforts of the church, community partnerships, law enforcement, parents and neighborhood groups to fight the scourge, the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, pastor of New Bethel, noted. Much of the city’s gun crimes are attributable to retaliation between warring factions as well as poor choices by those who “don’t know how to settle their beefs,” he said.

“We have to give our children better alternatives,” Simon said, adding that the church cannot afford to be silent in the midst of violence that tears at the city’s fabric.

Plans are in the works to stage monthly Stop the Violence campaigns this summer, with information to be placed in people’s yards and on church marquees, the longtime religious leader said, though he was unable to provide dates. Efforts also will be made to provide resources to parents, he continued.

“We’re experiencing a lot of loss and just like a lot of people, I’m angry, I’m emotional … but there is victory in Jesus,” Burney said in his remarks.

Burney also reminded attendees of the importance of enforcing the city’s 11 p.m. curfew for those 17 and under, because “nothing good happens when young people are out after midnight,” he added.

Police Chief Carl Davis recalled that in his younger years, “car meets” were enjoyable gatherings, but today, they often are preludes for violence. During his talk, he played a video that captured much of the commotion surrounding the incident in which McKinley was killed three weeks ago.

“The repercussions of this incident sent shock waves through the community, leaving a lot of us questioning, ‘Why this violence?'” an emotional Davis said. “We have to find a way to tell young people that gun violence must stop now.”

Among those still dealing with such shock waves are McKinley’s loved ones, including her heartbroken father.

“Just hold your baby tight, and make sure everybody’s safe,” he said, holding back tears. “We want justice for our daughter, but not just for our daughter, but for the community.”

Also, a few clergy members announced a citywide baptism that’s set for 2 to 6 p.m. July 13 at North Side Pool, 2160 Belmont Ave.

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