The murder of a young woman in Venice Beach left a family shattered. However, her loved ones used their grief to help others.
In 2020, Cortyln Bridges’ 28-year-old daughter, Ky Alicia Thomas, was shot and killed outside a scooter and bike rental shop on the famous boardwalk.
“I was with my sister when she was killed,” Kamryn Saltus said.
Kamryn enjoyed a day with her older sister, who had just given birth. Prosecutors said another group confronted Kamryn, Ky and the people they were with. The confrontation escalated into gunfire, striking Ky and killing the new mother.
Kamryn and her mother endured months of painful investigation and trial that ended without a murder conviction. Instead, the suspect was convicted of conspiracy to commit assault with a firearm. Nevertheless, the two continued to make progress by building a nonprofit organization in memory of their loved one.
Bridges co-founded the Ky Alicia Thomas Foundation with Kamryn. On National Day of Remembrance in September, they brought together community support groups in a Pasadena park to raise awareness about victims’ rights and the ongoing issue of gun violence.
The pair want victims to know they are not alone, so much so that Kamryn made some changes in her dreams to help others. When her sister was murdered, Kamryn was studying to become a lawyer. She has since decided to pursue a career as a prosecutor.
“I want to be the voice for the victims,” she said.
Jasmine Fell
