Vowing An End To Violence, Mattapan Mourns Mother And Son

As the congregation mourned for Eyanna Flonory and her 2-year-old son, Amani Smith — victims of last week's quadruple-homicide in Mattapan — the bishop at Morning Star Baptist Church vowed a "spiritual war" to end the violence.

"God is stirred up. God has had enough," said Bishop John Borders in a thundering eulogy. "We don't have time to be angry. We don't have time to be vengeful. We have to take our city back."

Police have not charged anyone with murder. On Saturday, police in Manchester, N.H., arrested Kimani Washington and charged him with stealing Martin's rental car and possession of two guns.

Early on Sept. 28, on Woolson Street in Mattapan, Flonory, 21, was found shot to death, her toddler's body in her arms, along with the bodies of Flonory's boyfriend, Simba Martin, and another man, Lavaughn Washum-Garrison. A fifth victim, Marcus Hurd, 32, is hospitalized in critical condition.

Bishop addressed the murderer or murderers directly: "We forgive you, but you will face the full weight of prosecution."

During the wake, some relatives screamed as they passed the open casket with mother and child inside. Flonory's sister, Ebony, fainted and was carried away.

Later, after recovering, Ebony Flonory told the congregation stories about her big sister and little nephew. She said young Amani had just learned his own name.

"I said, 'What's your name, Amani?' And he said, 'My name is Amani, auntie.' And he just kept repeating it," she said through tears.

The toddler was remembered as a little boy filled with energy. He loved to dance. He had learned to dribble a basketball. He was an eager learner at the Rockwood Early Education Academy in Dorchester.

Bishop Borders said the boy took his first name — Amanihotep — from an ancient Egyptian king, Amenhotep. "A young prince among us has died," Borders said.

Eyanna Flonory was remembered as having "a smile that would brighten the room," filled with the love of her son. Flonory was studying criminal justice at Bunker Hill Community College.

Funeral services were held for Martin in Roxbury on Tuesday. Services are planned next week for Washum-Garrison.

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