LARGO, Md. — On Tuesday, people from across the DMV gathered in Largo to pay their final respects to Cornelius “Neal” McDonald.
“I didn’t know him personally, but I knew about his work, and that’s one of the reasons why so many people are here. Because he touched so many lives,” said Michael Johnson, who attended McDonald’s funeral.
McDonald was known throughout the DMV as a passionate advocate for gun violence prevention and mental health. He started his non-profit organization, Stay Solid, after the death of his brother. It focuses on kids and young adults with mental health trauma.
Yet on Dec. 3, McDonald was shot and killed outside Jasper's restaurant in Largo.
The restaurant was closed for the day in his memory and a memorial has been set up to remember the man people say gave everything to make the region a safer place to live.
The suspect, Terrell Bailey, was arrested days later. He faces several charges including first- and second-degree murder.
During the funeral, a representative from the State’s Attorney’s office promised McDonald’s family that justice will be served.
During the service, attendees learned more about the man behind the activist, as those closest to McDonald shared fond memories.
Now, his loved ones are calling on the community to make sure that his work isn’t forgotten.
“I’m calling out all men,” declared McDonald’s cousin, Melvin George. “We need the men to show up, man, most of us are in jail, locked up, dead, in the streets, we need the men to stand up and reach out and be a positive impact.”
After the funeral, McDonald’s body was taken to Waldorf, where he was finally laid to rest. He’s survived by his four-year-old son.