TAMPA, Fla. — The family of an aspiring nurse who was murdered in Tampa will be back in court.
Savannah Mathis was just 21 years old when a man shot and killed her in December 2021 while she was driving near Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
A bench honoring Mathis now exists at the park. It’s where one may often find Mathis’ mother LaMaria Smith.
"I was waiting for that guilty verdict for two years, but the fact that they didn't bring my daughter back, it was bittersweet," Smith said. "I just had mixed emotions that day."
Smith is set to share her victim impact statement in court Thursday afternoon when Vakarvery Scott, the man found guilty of her daughter’s murder, is expected to be sentenced to life in prison.
He was convicted of first-degree murder.
As difficult as life continues to be for Smith and her family, she said she forgives Scott. Smith said her daughter would want her to.
“As a Christian, I have to forgive you because I don't want to walk around with that hate because it's only going to consume me,” Smith said. “I want you to know that I signed a life sentence as well when you took my daughter from me.”
Police said Scott shot at them believing it was someone else but Smith said it was an act of “evil doing.”
“She lost her life from minding her business,” Smith said.
Mathis’ sister was also in the car and was injured from the gunfire.
Through pain, Smith also found purpose. She continues to help and assist other grieving families who’ve also lost their children to violence.
She has organized events to raise awareness of gun violence and helped console families who’ve lost their children, too.
"This is something we can't turn off and on like you turn off a television. It's something that's always there,” Smith said.
Smith said it's important she continues to be there for Mathis' sister and granddaughter as well. She said seeing Scott behind bars also helps ensure no other families may have to lose their children.
Smith said the trial helped her accept her daughter’s passing, as difficult as it has been, but she plans to continue to keep her story and legacy alive.
“As her mother, I promise, as long as God put breath in my body, I will keep her name alive,” Smith said.
Smith said she’s in the process of writing a book honoring her daughter and helping others cope with loss. She also hopes to have a daycare someday, which she said was among her daughter's dreams.
Tampa police also arrested another man, Alfonso Evans, in connection to Mathis' murder. His case is still pending, according to court records.