Salisbury girl inspired to teach about 'conflict resolution' after 7-year-old cousin's death

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By Tina Terry

SALISBURY, N.C. — Brooklyn Witherspoon was best friends with her cousin before violence tore them apart,

Two years ago, 7-year-old A’yanna Allen was asleep in her grandmother’s bed in Salisbury when she was killed in a drive-by shooting.

"Every time she saw me, she would run up to me and swing me around,” Brooklyn said.

In December 2016, a gunman opened fire on the house.

"(It) made me feel like really bad. I cried for like two, three weeks,” Brooklyn said.

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While A'yanna's killing remains unsolved, Brooklyn is keeping her memory alive and working to protect other children from violence.

"It inspired me to do something,” said Brooklyn, who was 8 years old at the time of her cousin’s death.

With help from her family, Brooklyn created A Bridge 4 Kids, a nonprofit designed to stop the violence by teaching children about conflict resolution.

"You can talk to someone to get your anger out, you can write to get your anger out, you cannot think about it,” she said.

The group encourages children that it’s OK to go to the police for help or to report crimes.

This year, Salisbury leaders awarded her with the key to the city for her work.

"I felt very, very happy,” Brooklyn said. “I was like, ‘I'm really making an impact in Salisbury. I'm really doing something.’”

She said she hopes that adults who know who is responsible for killing her cousin will be inspired by her message.

"I would encourage them to please come forward and just know every day you don't come forward, you're hurting somebody's feelings,” Brooklyn said.

Police said the case is still very much open, but the tips have slowed down.

If you are moved by Brooklyn's message, call Crime Stoppers to help.

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