MORE: His Hamilton homicide is unsolved nearly 4 months later. Now his aunt is begging for justice.
The purpose of the rally was to “keep his face active,” she told about 20 people who attended the event. People at the rally passed out postcards offering an undisclosed reward for information that would lead to the arrest of the person responsible for Harvey’s death on Jan. 26, 2019. They also handed out fliers highlighting 23 unsolved homicides in Butler County.
The group tied red and white helium balloons to the street sign on the corner, then marched up and down the street.
“Even though he no longer is here with us, he will forever live in our hearts,” said Springfield, 51. “And we are going to get justice. We have come and taken authority over this block. This area here, it now belongs to us.”
Springfield encouraged anyone in the community who knows anything about the murders to contact the Hamilton police department. She believes whoever killed her nephew, for whom she cared since his parents died, probably spent time in the Harvey house.
Residents on Fairview Avenue behind the crime scene that is flanked by a church and barber shop described the shooting as a drive-by with the suspects circling the block before firing shots. The suspects stopped to pick up shell casings after the shooting, witnesses said.
“They are going to pay,” Springfield said. “If you all say ‘lives matter,’ you cannot watch your brother or your sister lose their life and you afraid to talk. That makes you a coward.”
Harvey’s mother was buried on May 17, 2018. If she were still alive, Springfield said she would be trying to find her son’s killer.
“We got to fight for her,” Springfield said.
Now, four months after the murder, Springfield visits her nephew’s tombstone. It’s a somber reminder of Harvey’s death.
“This really ain’t a dream,” she said. “It’s really happening. You never will understand these shoes until you have to wear them.”
Hamilton police have said they’re continuing to investigate Harvey’s slaying and progress has been made.
“We are are confident we know who is responsible and they are not currently on the street,” Hamilton Police Chief Craig Bucheit said recently. “Hopefully we will be able to bring charges soon.”
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call the Hamilton Police Department’s investigations section at 513-868-5811, Ext. 2002.
Staff writer Lauren Pack contributed to this report.
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