Ladonna Wilkerson, a former Albany police officer, and her 4-year-old son, Austin Tyler Hayslip were both shot by the boy's father, Albany Georgia Police Corporal Andrew Hayslip - who then shot and killed himself.Ladonna survived,
but Austin
did not.
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I PROMISED I WOULD NEVER FORGET AUSTIN
Victim speaks out to help stop domestic violence
By D. AILEEN DODD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/02/07
[EXCERPTS] She doesn't have a pulpit, fame or a national spotlight to shine on her pain. Ladonna Wilkerson suffers in silence. She's one of the real faces of domestic violence. The everyday woman whose smile masks a terrible secret. Hers is chilling. Wilkerson, 34, a Medicaid investigator, and her 4-year-old son, Austin Tyler Hayslip, were shot by the man who asked to marry her... The Partnership Against Domestic Violence will sponsor two events in the metro area this month to honor the memories of victims who have been hurt or killed by loved ones... Wilkerson plans to share her chilling testimony at both events, which are free and open to the public. Her son was shot to death Sept. 21, 2004, as he stood outside with his mother at the Dougherty County Pre-K building.Wilkerson's estranged boyfriend, a police officer who had taken an oath to protect and serve, said he was angry because Wilkerson planned to move to metro Atlanta with their son. He shot his girlfriend, shot her son and then killed himself... Wilkerson said counseling and prayer helped her to survive domestic violence. Now, instead of living with anger, she uses her energy for education through the Austin Tyler Vision of Life Foundation, which will hold a charity event to unite survivors later this month at New Mercies Christian Church in Lilburn. "I'm not a victim, I'm a victor," Wilkerson said. "I'm still standing. God is good."
"Now I am a victor"
ReplyDeleteDomestic violence sufferers share cautionary stories
Gwinnett Daily Post
By Melissa Wilson
October 26, 2007
[Excerpts] As many begin to sob and tissues are passed through the crowd, another woman steps up to the podium to tell her story. LaDonna Wilkerson met her son's father, Andrew, while both worked as police officers in Albany. But after her son, Austin, was born Andrew became jealous and violent, she said. Wilkerson said she tried to leave him but found herself going back. In September 2004, Wilkerson went to Austin's school to meet Andrew to tell him it was over and she would be moving to Atlanta. Her husband became irate, yelling at her and pushing her, she said. Wilkerson didn't see Andrew reach for his gun from his patrol call. She recalls hearing one shot, then another. "I fell to the ground and I heard him call for Austin, then I heard another shot," Wilkerson said as she tried to hold back her tears. "Then he (Andrew) put the gun to his head and killed himself. I have no memory of Austin being shot. When I was in the emergency room they told me Austin had died." At 4 years old, Wilkerson's son was shot to death by his father. She said she knows that one bullet was meant for her, but Wilkerson said she also knows she survived to help others. "Today I know I was a victim, but today I am a victor," Wilkerson said...
http://www.padv.org/GDP_victor_102607.asp
Austin Hayslip, 4
ReplyDeleteOBITUARY
Ocala Star-Banner
ALBANY, Ga. - Austin Hayslip, age 4, died Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.
Hayslip was a native and lifelong resident of Albany. He attended
Dougherty County Pre-K School.
Survivors include...