Father makes plea to stop violence after child killed during shootout

LIBERTY CITY, Fla. (WSVN) -- A father with a purpose is spreading the word in hopes of gaining peace of mind and peace on the streets, after his daughter was shot and killed.

Sherdavia Jenkins was struck by a stray bullet fired during a shootout, now he is sending out a message as the trial begins for the accused suspects. "This was the bullet that killed Sherdavia Jenkins, very powerful. The bullet came from an AK-47," said David Jenkins.

Sherdavia, just 9 years old at the time, was playing in her front yard when she got struck by a bullet in 2006 during a shootout between Leroy LaRose and Damon Darling, police have alleged.

LaRose plead guilty to second degree murder last week, and in turn for a plea bargain he testified against Darling. Jury selection began on Monday for Darling's trial. "It's like pouring salt in a wound that's already open," said Jenkins. "That's all I can say, and it stings."

Jenkins is working side-by-side with congressman Kendrick Meek; their purpose is to stop the violence. "Sometimes things happen to give you a purpose," he said. "I believe this is a purpose that I can well work with. This is something that I can do, you know. Like I said, it gives peace of mind and not just to my family, but to other families."

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