Heartbreaking story that almost is too difficult to write, and definitely too tragic to make sense of — but one that must be shared. Our friend, Jim has a beautiful girlfriend, Lesley. In 2021, Lesley’s 9 year old son, Pierce, was shot and murdered by her ex-husband. One cannot imagine the pain and despair of losing your beloved child, in a horrific and preventable tragedy. Let me repeat that again — Pierce was shot while sleeping by his own father. Who then took his own life. Lesley, the mother, did not find out about the death of her own son, until she went to school to pick him up the next day.
Pierce.
Lesley has used her pain and grief to create a non-profit organization, Pierce’s Pledge. This organization’s goal is to work with families, family law attorneys, and licensed firearm storage facilities to build awareness and answer the need for voluntary firearm store outside of the home during child custody proceedings.
An incredible organization that everyone must know of.
Lesley and Pierce. An unbelievable loss to the world. And this can be prevented. Gun violence must end. On average, one child per week is murdered by a parent or step-parent during divorce, separation, child support, visitation, or custody negotiations.
We attended an event on Tuesday in NYC, to learn more about Pierce’s Pledge and the fight to end gun violence. It was an emotional evening to hear more from Lesley and her own loss, as well as what the organization is doing and working towards.
Lesley and her partner, Jim.
Lovely couple who have suffered an unexplainable loss.
This story is so difficult to hear, but one that must be shared and spoken about. We must end gun violence, and we must help Lesley’s fight to keep children safe during the stressful and emotionally volatile time of custody dispute. To learn more about Pierce’s Pledge, go here. To read more about Pierce, go here. My heartbreaks for Lesley, Pierce, and so many other families who have lost loved ones to guns.
