Lake City is renaming Long Street to Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street, as a tribute to a life lost to gun violence. The dedication will take place at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, at 326 NW Long St.
“The dedication of the Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street is a solemn commitment to remember Mariah and all victims of gun violence,” Interim City Manager Dee Johnson said in a press release. “It is our hope this memorial will spark conversations, inspire change, and serve as a beacon of remembrance for years to come.”
The road is named for Mariah Smith, a 12-year-old girl who died in August after shots fired into a house on Long Street struck her where she was sitting on the couch. The Lake City Police Department later charged two teenage boys with Smith’s murder.
The Lake City Council unanimously approved a resolution to dedicate Long Street to Smith’s memory, aiming to “celebrate Mariah’s spirit and advocate for a future free from the devastating effects of gun violence.”
The city stated in the release that the dedication is a call to action for the community to unite against “senseless violence,” working for a safer future for children.
Monday’s ceremony will include remarks by a member of Smith’s family, a city official and the family clergy.
For more information about the dedication ceremony, contact Lake City’s city manager’s Office at 386-752-2031.