Karen Ramsey says Christmas Eve 2019 will be a day she will never forget. Her life was forever altered by a tragic event. Her ex-boyfriend, Leighton Josephs, shot and killed her daughter Racheal Ramsey and her friend Chris Pine in front of four children at her home, according to police. Josephs then turned the gun on himself. Athena and Meisha Ramsey, two of Ramsey’s daughters, were among the children present at the time of the shooting. Those two girls’ father was Josephs.
Racheal was shot and killed alongside her friend Chris Pine on Christmas Eve. When Ramsey’s ex, Leighton Josephs, killed them inside Ramsey’s home, the two were preparing to go to church services, according to Lakeland police.
“That was scary. It was really scary – the fact that they were in the house when it happened and that the older one saw everything and the younger one saw the aftermath,” Ramsey said. “But I was also very thankful that God was watching over them. I believe that’s what saved them is he had his arms around them and protected them.”
“They’re starting to talk about it a little more. We were really worried about Meisha especially, the oldest one because she witnessed everything but was not saying anything,” Karen Ramsey said. Karen and Terry Ramsey, the girls’ grandparents, have been fighting for their adoption since then. On February 10, 2022, a judge granted the petition in a virtual hearing. “I cried and cried. It was relief and joyful that it was finally done,” Ramsey said.
Since the shooting years ago, the Lakeland community has rallied around the family in an attempt to restore their hope. “It’s a little overwhelming. Everybody has been so supportive of us and our family the last two years,” Ramsey said.
“I had a teacher yesterday, and he told me he’s even noticed that since the adoption is final that the girls, they seem happier, that they’re more relieved,” Karen Ramsey shared. To commemorate the occasion, William Dunn of Take A Kid Fishing Inc. organized a parade through Lakeland’s streets, which included members of law enforcement and members of the public. The girls have also expressed their joy that the adoption has been finalized.
“People just go on with their everyday lives, but these people took time out of their day to come on this ride to celebrate with this family, and I’m sure it means the world to them,” Dunn said. The group promises to continue to support the girls, with a fishing trip planned in the near future.
Tragedy comes in different forms. Some tragedies are even hard to explain or understand. But at the end of the day, those who believe in the Lord will find hope even amidst darkness. God will alwyas provide a way out and send people who will love and cherish the victims.
Ultimately, all who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength and mount on wings like eagles. Our faithful God will always be on our side and will rescue us at the right time.