Community Remembers Stanton Saunders

Family and friends of Gulfport shooting victims Stanton Saunders spent the afternoon reminiscing and consoling his mother.
Saunders’ mother, Vanessa Smith, tells News 25 the amount of support she’s received since the incident has helped ease the pain of losing her son.
Twenty-one year-old Stanton Saunders of Gulfport was shot in the chest near the corner of Ganges Street and 34th Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Saunders was taken to Memorial Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
“It means a whole lot, you know, to know that he had friends and I have family. It means a whole lot. It’s good to have support from other people because you need it in a time like this,” said Smith.
The family plans to honor Saunders during a candle light vigil this weekend. They’re also organizing a fish fry benefit to help cover the cost of his funeral expenses.