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As a boy, Kion Lofton helped his brother and father plant a dogwood tree in their Largo yard for his mother, Karen Sherrill, on Mother's Day.
Nearly 11 years later, another dogwood tree was planted only feet away, but this time it was in memory of his mother and 16-year-old sister, Karissa Lofton, who were shot to death Jan. 26 inside their Largo home.
On the plaque is engraved, "In loving memory of Karen Sherrill and Karissa Lofton, your lives have been a blessing to all who knew you and your memories will be cherished forever. Dedicated on the Lord's day, Sunday, May 31, 2009. Love, family and friends."
The tree planting was held on what would have been Karen Sherrill's 46th birthday.
"It's a nice gesture," said Kion Lofton, 22, of Landover.
Family and friends donated money to purchase the tree and plaque at a park located at the end of the Loftons' street, at the intersection of Southall Drive and New Salem Avenue.
"It's a blessing for so many people to love my niece and my sister," said Karen's sister, Sandra Sherrill-Craig, 47, of Hyattsville.
Karen's best friend, Audrey Bello, 53, of Suitland, who led the ceremony, agreed.
"Each person here — it says so much about them," Bello said. "If we all do the right things [on Earth], we'll be able to see them again [in heaven]."
Karen Sherrill and Karissa Lofton were found shot to death inside their home in the 10800 block of Southall Drive. Less than two months later, another mother and daughter were found dead in Largo, sparking fear in the area about a possible serial killer and the launch of an around-the-clock taskforce, although police no longer believe the two crimes are related.
Delores Renee Dewitt, 42, who worked as a nurse in Clinton, and Ebony Dewitt, 19, a Largo High school graduate, who lived a half-mile from the Loftons, were found dead March 16 in a burning car near the family's Cedarhollow Lane home.
Months later, Prince George's County police continue to work 24 hours a day to solve the murders, said Capt. Mistinette Mints, a police spokeswoman. Police have no current plans to reduce the number of officers assigned to the task force, and the cases remain the department's "priority one," Mints said last week.
Mints said police officers continue to ask for neighbors' help in finding witnesses or new leads.
On Sunday, Bello told friends and family who gathered that the tree will keep them connected. They sang the song "Lean On Me."
"I know Karen and Karissa are looking over us," said Marsha Carroll, 60, of Oxon Hill, who has known Karen since she was a child. "They were two remarkable people. When you lose someone like this, it will always be there."
Friends and family raised plastic cups of apple juice.
"I lift [them] up to God — a toast to Karen and Karissa and the lives they led. There's not enough thanks ever to give to God for putting them in my life. They touched us all," Bello said.
Karen's niece, Tonya Douglass, 39, urged those gathered to stay together.
"We can't let Karen and Karissa's life go to vain. It's up to us as family and friends to continue [their] legacy," she said.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to arrests in the Lofton and Dewitt cases. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for the tip that leads to an arrest and indictment.
Anyone with information may call the Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit at 301-772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477 or text "PGPD (plus the message)" to CRIMES (274637) or visit www.pgpolice.org to submit a tip online.
E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.
