Sister Soul Food Reemerges Stronger: Reopening Marks New Chapter After Parramore Tragedy

PARRAMORE, Fla. – A shooting incident at a Parramore restaurant on Sunday afternoon left four teenagers injured, with one bullet coming dangerously close to an employee, grazing her hair in a narrow escape.

Just two days after the unsettling event, Sister Soul Food welcomed back its patrons with open arms. The community gathered to offer prayers and express their solidarity with the restaurant and the local neighborhood.

“We want to extend our deepest gratitude and warmly welcome everyone back to Sister Soul Food,” stated Brekencur Akins during the heartfelt reopening ceremony.

Before the restaurant resumed its usual activities, a prayer service was conducted. Dejanya Whitehead took this opportunity to extend her best wishes for a speedy recovery to the teenagers affected by the incident.

[For more details: 4 juveniles injured in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood shooting, according to police reports]

“We send our prayers, we send our thoughts, we send our regards to the families of the boys who were injured here. We wish them nothing but the best and safe recovery,” Whitehead said.

During the prayer, Bishop Derrick McRae focused on unity and parental accountability.

“And I’m calling for all parents, let’s go back to accountability for our own children. Let’s know where our kids at least are so that we can be accountable for their locations,” McRae said.

According to employees, gunfire erupted Sunday, shattering three windows and a television inside the restaurant. A bullet pierced Akins’ hair bun, went through the TV and lodged into a wall.

“Auntie, they have a gun, and when I looked up the bullets were already flying — shot through the bun, went through the TV, into the wall,” Akins said.

Former Commissioner Regina Hill said the decision to reopen reflected the restaurant’s importance to the Parramore community.

“They thought about the gap that will be there if they didn’t reopen. Even though they experienced such a horrific event, they thought about, we gotta open these doors so people can eat. Because when you think about Sister Soul Food, it is truly a link to the community. You have people here that can’t afford nutritious foods,” Hill said.

Part of the shooting was captured on security camera video. Orlando police have not yet released the footage.