Deb Van Horn's world was turned upside down six months ago when her family fell victim to violent crime.
"This is someplace I never really thought I'd ever want to be, and I wish I weren't," she said.
Van Horn spoke at a candlelight vigil in Downtown Albuquerque on Sunday night to honor crime victims.
She said two of her sons were assaulted at knifepoint on Aug. 8, 2004, but she couldn't provide full details of the case because it is still pending.
Van Horn, who works as a DWI prevention coordinator in Harding County, said her rights as a victim were trampled on by the judicial system. She said family members of the man who assaulted her children threatened her, and at one point, she was shot at while leaving the courthouse.
"I hope you never have to know what it's like to be assaulted or shot at," she said, adding she was in her vehicle at the time of the shooting. "I was lying on the floorboard, so scared, just waiting for the sound of tires on gravel."
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The New Mexico Victims' Rights Projects coordinated the vigil. They are a nonprofit organization that acts as advocates for victims of crime working their way through the judicial system.
About 40 people showed up at Civic Plaza to commemorate crime victims. They lit candles and wore blue ribbons that read, "Justice isn't served until crime victims are."
Melissa Stevenson, attorney for the advocacy group, said she blames the cold, wet weather for the small turnout.
"There are people here with us in spirit," she said. "They are just at home, warm."
She said she hopes the event will grow.
Joe Bowdich, interim police chief of Albuquerque Police Department, agreed with Stevenson. He said it only takes one person to start a movement.
"One of these days, this plaza will be full," Bowdich said. "Don't be discouraged because you're small. You're mighty."
Two police officers were wounded last month during a shootout with a gang member from California. The gunman was shot and killed during the incident.
"It's a miracle they're alive," he said. "They have had nothing but praise about what has been done for them."
Clara Mayberry's son was murdered 10 years ago this month.
"When he was murdered, he was stabbed 36 times and left to die," she said.
The offender spent eight years in prison, and Mayberry and her husband attended his parole hearing.
"We had to face this man again," she said. "And it took everything we had."
Mayberry said the court ordered the offender to pay restitution to her son's family, but he hadn't done it months after being released. She said he eventually had to pay.
"At least he had to dig down in his pockets and send a money order to us," she said, adding the money went to things for her grandson, like Little League.
"My son would have wanted that," she said.
