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The anguish of losing a second child to violence

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes sits beside the grave of her son DeAndre Hughes during a visit to Inglewood Park Cemetery in October. Hughes was killed four months earlier at the age of 30. Another son, Dovon Terrell Harris, died in 2007.

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes sits beside the grave of her son DeAndre Hughes during a visit to Inglewood Park Cemetery in October. Hughes was killed four months earlier at the age of 30. Another son, Dovon Terrell Harris, died in 2007.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Mothers who have lost more than one child to violence. Read the story.

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes

Pallbearers carry the casket of DeAndre Hughes into a hearse in Compton, where he was fatally shot. His mother, Barbara Pritchett-Hughes, said her mind instantly flashed back to nine years earlier, when her 15-year-old son, Dovon Harris, was fatally shot in Watts.

  (Dillon Deaton / Los Angeles Times)

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes shouts, “Its done. It’s over,” as she closes the casket of her son DeAndre Hughes at his funeral in July.

  (Dillon Deaton / Los Angeles Times)

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes cleans the headstone of her son Dovon Terrell Harris during a visit to his grave in Inglewood Park Cemetery on Oct. 12, what would have been his 25th birthday.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes is comforted by her son DJ Harris during a visit to Inglewood Park Cemetery.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Barbara Pritchett-Hughes

The family of Barbara Pritchett-Hughes gathers at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Valarie Holyfield

Valarie Holyfield at the funeral of her daughter Jennifer Dickerson, who was shot and killed in Harbor City on July 29.

  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Valarie Holyfield

James Dickerson kisses the coffin of his sister Jennifer Dickerson, who was shot and killed in Harbor City on July 29.

  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Valarie Holyfield

James Dickerson, right, comforts sister Joyce Dickerson at the funeral of their sister Jennifer.

  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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