DC woman becomes 'neighborhood mom' ever since 11-year-old son killed by gun violence

WASHINGTON (7News) — Every day, Crystal McNeal gets in her van in Southeast D.C. and begins her neighborhood loop, taking 12 kids to school safe and sound.

"I go pick them up in the morning," McNeal told 7News' Lianna Golden behind the wheel. "I go pick them up around like 6:30, 6:40."

The reason why she does it is painted on the outside of the van.

"So this is Davon's picture," McNeal said as she pointed to photos of her then 11-year-old son.

Davon was caught in the crossfire of a 2020 shooting. It happened just after an anti-violence cookout that Crystal organized.

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Not a day has gone by since that Crystal hasn't advocated on his behalf, earning the title of "neighborhood mom."

"I love helping families out who are going through what I’m going through," McNeal said. "I love helping moms and dads out who lost children to gun violence."

For every child who steps in that van:

I’m going to make sure you get inside the school building. I'm going to make sure you get home... If I hear you aren't going to school, oh no, tell your mother Miss Crystal picking you up because you need to go to school every day to get your education. You need your education. It’s hard out here.

Fellow advocate and friend Prince Hamn with M.A.D. (Making a Difference) has seen Crystal's work firsthand.

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"A lot of us are dealing with a lot of trauma," Hamn said. "A lot of us need some love."

With photos in their hands of a dozen young men taken too soon by violence, he reminds both moms and children of this:

Tell your mother that you love them, give them a big old hug. Just tell somebody you love them today because somebody doesn’t have their mother today.

Golden asked McNeal, "I know these hundreds of kids can never replace your Davon, but what is it like being able to help them if they don’t have that kind of support from their mom?"

"So, it’s a blessing because it also keeps me going," McNeal replied. "People stop me and say like, 'Girl, this van is powerful. Like you have to look at the words that’s on the van,' and it is, because everyone deserves a chance to make it."

One kid at a time, so I love being a voice.

Four men are behind bars in connection with Davon's death.

RELATED | DC man gets 8 years in shooting death of 11-year-old Davon McNeal on Fourth of July 2020

They all pleaded guilty back in 2022 to voluntary manslaughter while armed.