Mother of Marksville shooting victim wants change at Borrel's

A little more than a week ago two men were shot and killed in a nightclub in Marksville. Now, family and friends are seeking justice for their loved ones.

One of those women pushing for change is Wakena Williams, the mother of Taji Simon a.k.a Marley G.

"Everywhere I’d go they'd say ‘you're Marley G's mama,’” remembered Williams. “And I’d say ‘no I’m TJ's mama.’ Then I realized that's how they knew him. I realized he was becoming a star."

Simon was a Marksville High graduate who became an up-and-coming rapper. He moved to Houston a couple of years ago and started making his music, working with companies like Rap-A-Lot and SSFilmz.

A couple of weekends ago he made a trip back to Avoyelles Parish for his sister's homecoming.

"I hadn't seen him since his birthday when he came that night,” said Williams. “I remember him being happier than he ever was. It was just me and him in the house. “I think God sent him to me that night to say goodbye."

Williams said her son was home for less than 24 hours, when he kissed her goodbye for the last time.

"He walked out the door and I said ‘be careful,’” expressed Williams. “He said ‘Mom I'll be alright.’ And that was the last words he told me."

He went to Borrel's Club in Marksville. That's where he and another man, Derrick McGlory, were shot and killed. It's a call that no mother hopes to get.

"He was shot three times in the left side of his chest and one time in the back of his lungs,” said Williams. “Thirty minutes before I was hugging him at the door. Thirty minutes later I was in Borrel's bathroom, laying over him; bloody and dead."

Yes, a suspect, Jimmie McGlory, has been arrested for the shooting. He’s facing first degree murder charges, but Williams said it doesn't completely bring closure.

First, there's a missing chain that he was wearing the night of the shooting.

"I’m still searching for the chain,” expressed Williams. “I would love to have my baby's chain back. The one he died for. The one he worked for. Nobody gave it to him, he worked hard to get that chain."

And then there's Borrel's, a business she said failed to do its job.

"Where were the metal detectors,” asked Williams. “Where were the security?"

We tried to reach out to Borrel's about these questions. When we swung by they were closed and the number listed online is disconnected. Regardless, Williams said she’s planning on pushing for change at Borrel’s.

"My child believed that he was going to be okay, and I did too,” expressed Williams. “Because when he paid his money to get into that club, Borrel's job and the bouncers' job was to make sure that no one was in there with a weapon to kill him. If he would've been killed outside of the club or down the street, then I wouldn't say they are to blame for it. But I think they are totally to blame. They didn't protect my child.”

No one can ever quite explain how to fill the hole left when a loved one is taken. But for Williams, she said doing what she can to seek justice is a good place to start.

"I’m not doing this to be deceitful and close the club,” said Williams. “I'm doing this to save someone else's child's life. Because if something would've been done, then my child would still be here."

The portions of Marley G's music videos comes from works directed by Sedrick Savoy of SSFilmz. If you're interested in their work, check out the attached links.