Friends pray for Keoshia Ford

LeKeshia Matthews was at a loss for words Saturday as she stood near the spot where her 13-year-old daughter was gunned down, shot in the head.

Since March 17 her daughter, Keoshia Ford, has not been able to speak a word. She can't care for herself and remains in an almost frozen state.

"The doctor said the only way the condition may be reversed is by a miracle through the power of prayer," Olivet Baptist Church pastor Kevin Adams said during a prayer vigil for Keoshia in front of a home at 2012 Bennett Ave.

He asked a crowd of about 125 people to bow their heads and hold each other's hands as he and several other area pastors from various faiths led the group in prayers.

Boyd Patterson, the city's gang task force coordinator, said that rather than holding the vigil at a church, it was important to revisit the spot where Keoshia was shot. She was sitting on a car when she was caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting.

"We had it here because this is where we need y'all," he said to the crowd.

See complete coverage in Sunday's Times Free Press.

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