Savannah family mourns 21-year-old son, calls for change after ‘senseless’ gun violence

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - “Though the world may forget him, I’m not gonna forget him, and I promise you to live my life in dedication to him,” the parents of Najeh Williams said in a sit-down interview Wednesday.

This Savannah family is sharing their son’s story after his life was cut short by what they call senseless gun violence last Friday.

The parents, siblings, friends, and loved ones of 21-year-old Najeh Williams are all grieving the loss of their loved one.

This family is absolutely devastated. They lost a young man who was just about to start his adult life, and mourn a son who will never walk back through that front door.

Williams had just gotten the keys to his first apartment on the day he was killed. His parents say he had a plan, and he was working it each day.

“He came into this world, and he brought so much joy. He was such a playful child and full of energy, and he just loved everybody. As he grew up, he went to school and won numerous awards—he’s even been on television for school recognition and speaking engagements,” said his mother, Jennitra Blount.

Williams had plans, and his parents tell me he would never be involved with people who have guns... That wasn’t the lifestyle he lived, or was raised around.

“My son was not a street individual. He was what we call a gentle giant. He may have looked a certain way, but he was nothing but a big old bag of jelly—that was his character," said his mother and father.

Najeh’s mom says that from an early age, her son stood out, raised in the church, active in school and different sports, and always surrounded by family.

“He was a child that I brought up in church, and he loved his church family. He was active in the church. He knew God from a young age, and as he grew up, he continued to operate like that because he had such a huge heart for everybody. It didn’t matter who you were,” his mother said.

She says her son was extremely family-oriented, known for his kind spirit and sense of humor.

As he got older, his parents say he became independent, determined to move and build something for himself.

“He loved when family came around, and he used to say all the time, ‘We having a family event? A family get together?’ And if I said no, he’d be like, ‘Why? We need to all get together.’ Because he loved family and he loved having people around him,” said Najeh’s mother.

“He never even put anything in that new apartment. He had gotten his keys—but that’s all he had gotten in. When we went to check the other day, there was nothing in there. It’s a shame he never got to enjoy the fruits of his labor in that moment.”

His father, Walter Blount, said Najeh planned his next move to a tee on how he was going to work things... But he never got to enjoy it.

“He was excited—this was his next step. He was excited to move into his apartment. He had already planned to celebrate the whole weekend. He was really looking forward to it,” his mother said.

That future was cut short — taken, they say, by senseless violence.

“I don’t even have the words to even describe it, you know, I’m proud of him even though he’s not here anymore. We’re very proud of him and honored to be his parents, you know, honored,” his father said.

“The world was blessed to have him in it, and I feel like now at this point in time the world has been robbed of an opportunity to get to know one awesome young man,” his mother said.

Now, through their grief, his parents are speaking out — hoping their son’s story leads to change.

“No parent wants to ever bury their child, because in your mind you think you’re preparing so your child will bury you. You never think it’s going to be you. And when it is, it’s like a brick wall—you become numb. You don’t know how to process it.”

said Najeh Williams' parents

“I hope that somebody wakes up, and I know it’s not going to just start or end with my child, because I’m passionate because that was my child... But what about the other people who have lost their lives to senseless gun violence? When is enough enough?” his mother emphasized.

His parents say they are now focused on seeking justice — and making sure no other family has to endure the same kind of loss.

“I hope that through my pain and my experience, people begin to think—how could this have been prevented? How can we save someone else’s child?" his mother reiterated.

“My son’s life mattered. It matters now, and it’s going to matter tomorrow. And for someone to destroy something that matters—it was cold-hearted. I just hope justice is served for my son.”