'Remember Her' A tribute to Nia Wilson
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Nia Wilson was just 18 years old when she was killed in what police say was an unprovoked stabbing at MacArthur BART station in Oakland. Fighting through sorrow, her friends, family, and the community at large are mourning the teenager who brightened the lives of those she knew, and has inspired many who never got the chance.
Officials say on Sunday, July 22, John Cowell changed Nia and her family's lives forever when he attacked her and her sister Letifah on the MacArthur BART platform as they tried to make their way home from a family gathering.
RELATED: Here's how you can help Nia's family
Family and friends tell ABC7 that Nia had high hopes of starting her own makeup line, opening a dance studio, and even going into the criminal justice field. The ambitious young woman was beloved by friends and family and they are beyond heartbroken that she is gone.
"Remember her for her, not what you hear," Nia's older sister Letifah, who was wounded in the BART attack. "That was my little sister. Loving, caring, helped any and everybody."
Keri Bawcum, a young woman who didn't know Nia very well, was touched by her death and vowed to get her name out to people so she could be remembered. "She was young. She was 18," she said. "She hasn't even seen life. She deserves justice."
VIDEO: Oakland BART stabbing victim recalls horrific attack that killed sister
Bawcum has taken the time to put posters bearing Nia's face up near BART platforms around the Bay Area, they say "Say her name."
Flowers have covered the ground near where Nia's life was tragically taken.
Many hope for less violence, and more safety at BART and around the Bay Area -- it's the hope after a terrible tragedy, that things could get better.
Go here for full coverage on the stabbing at Oakland's MacArthur BART station that took the life of 18-year-old Nia Wilson.
CONTINUING COVERAGE ON DEADLY BART STABBING:
- What we know about deadly stabbing at Oakland's MacArthur BART station
- 'Remember Her' A tribute to Nia Wilson
- Here's how you can help the family of BART stabbing victim Nia Wilson
- Chilling dispatch call describes terrifying fatal MacArthur BART stabbing
- 'He was wiping off his knife': BART stabbing victim recalls horrific attack that killed sister
- Heartbroken father demands justice after daughter stabbed at BART station
- 'Stand down': BART stabbing victim's godfather makes plea to black community
- TIPS: How to stay safe on BART
- Bart releases info on pair of homicides
