Memorial for slain student turns into campaign to end domestic violence

“Give me and A, A-K, A-K-I-R-A-H”

A group of former Orange High School cheerleaders chanted in honor of a past member of their squad, 20-year-old Akriah Townes, on Saturday in Lincoln Gymnasium.

Townes, of Orange, was stabbed to death April 27 in Montclair allegedly by an ex-boyfriend.

More than than 200 people from the community filled the gym, wearing purple shirts, hats and carrying signs and balloons to honor the life of Townes.

“All these people here, it’s a testament to who she was,” her oldest brother, Tyree Townes, 32, said. “Had it been one of us or anyone in the community, Akirah would have been the main one behind this knocking on doors, passing out flyers to those in the community.”

During the memorial service, Akirah Townes’ family announced there were starting a foundation “Akirah Cares” in the slain woman’s honor. 

“She was all the good things of her brother and sisters rolled into one,” Tyree Townes said. 

According to Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Townes was found stabbed on Hartley Street in Montclair around 6 a.m. Taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, she was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Her ex-boyfriend, Ahigjah Broomes, 21, of Orange, has been charged with  murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in Townes’ death, authorities said.

Broomes appeared in Superior Court iun Essex County for a detention hearing Thursday where he was ordered held in custody and undergo a mental health evaluation, authorities said. His next listed court date is May 21.

Akirah Townes, a Kean University junior was studying to become a special education teacher to honor her brother, who died four years ago from a rare genetic disease. 

On Saturday, she was remembered as a daughter, sister, friend, beloved community member. One of her friends noted during the ceremony she was passionate about education and never wanted to skip class. 

Back in February, Akirah Townes, posted a photograph on her Facebook page of a letter naming her to the dean’s list for the fall semester. 

Many promising lives have been scarred by domestic violence, according to statistics.

In the state of New Jersey, an act of domestic violence happens every 7.29 minutes according to 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc, a non-profit based in Monmouth County dedicated to ending domestic violence. 

The Office of Domestic Violence Services located in the state’s Division of Women currently offers  24-hour hotline 24-hour access to a confidential safe house counseling, support services, and advocacy for victims and children. 

Akirah Townes’ family hopes to add to the agenda through the creation of “Akirah Cares” which a family friend said will focus on education, intervention, counseling and attacking the problem of domestic violence at it’s roots.

During the ceremony Saturday, which was also sponsored by the Orange Board of Education and Orange Police Department, many purple balloons began to pop as family and friends spoke about Akirah Townes. 

“She’s here,” a family friend said. “This is exactly what she’d want us to be doing,” 

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo