LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The family of a woman shot and killed while walking her daughter to a Louisville bus stop Wednesday morning is going through a range of emotions, from grief to anger as they wait for a suspect to be arrested.
Redaja Williams, known in the community as "Juicy," was shot four times at 10th and Chestnut streets around 8 a.m.
As the clock ticks closer to 48 hours since Williams was killed, her family hopes the community steps up to help police find who did it.
"Redaja. Redaja Williams. Remember her name," Donna Cole—Williams' aunt—said, holding back her emotion.
For those who have lost a loved one, sometimes the silence speaks to what your heart is feeling.
Williams' family spoke at a news conference Thursday morning hosted by Louisville Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, D-1, in front of the Western Library—just steps away from where Williams was shot.
"I had to watch my sister lay on that ground and take her last breath, and there was nothing I could do about it," Williams' sister, Lavett, said through tears.
Redaja "Juicy" Williams, the Louisville mother shot and killed while walking her daughter to a bus stop Wednesday morning, Aug. 13, 2025. (Family photo)
In front of her 7-year-old daughter, her sister, her niece, and other parents and children, Williams was shot near a Jefferson County Public Schools bus stop.
"She's going to be traumatized for the rest of her life," Bruce Simmons, Williams' grandfather, said. "Seeing her mother get killed in the street like that."
As Louisville Metro Police look for Williams' killer, her family says they won't rest until there's an arrest.
"I haven't slept all night long and I may not sleep until we find out who did this," Williams' great-uncle, Kenneth Simmons, said.
Sharing a grainy photo on social media after the shooting, investigators with LMPD's Homicide Unit are looking a person wearing black pants and a red hoodie.
LMPD releases images of person of interest from this morning's homicide, close to a bus stop. Urge tipline. 502-574-LMPDhttps://t.co/IK6741Zzo9 pic.twitter.com/2D2lkHJzOH
— LMPD (@LMPD) August 13, 2025
"Somebody needs to do something about this s**t," said Bruce Simmons. "This s**t is out of hand."
Wednesday's shooting was the second at the exact same bus stop, less than a week apart. Two 15-year-olds are facing charges for an "exchange of gunfire" near 10th and Chestnut streets on Aug. 7, the first day of school for JCPS.
Williams' family is pointing to a bigger gang problem at hand in Louisville. Her brother has also been the victim of a shooting.
"And they're kids," Bruce Simmons said. "They're nothing but babies their damn self. Damn babies. Killing grown people. ... Kids. You can't do nothing. Can't even go to the grocery store without somebody wanting to harass you or rob you or carjack you."
Grief, anger, heartbreak—Williams' family is feeling all of it in the aftermath of her death.
"I'm angry," said Cole. "I'm not just angry at the police, or the government. I'm angry at us too. Because we only angry for a moment."
But the nightmare of losing a loved one lasts longer than just a moment—it's a pain that can live with you forever.
"Be angry every day. Be proactive in your community," Cole said. "Be proactive in your neighborhood. Don't talk about it, be about it."
Williams' family isn't alone, as city leaders are echoing their calls for change.
Hawkins held Thursday morning's news conference asking for accountability from the community. She too wants the community to be proactive instead of reactive, and said she already has a meeting planned to talk about solutions to the city's violence. That meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Chestnut Street YMCA.
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