Akilah DaSilva was an ambitious, talented, creative young man, but mostly he was kind.
By those who knew him in pre-kindergarten, at Cane Ridge High School and as a rap artist and videographer chasing his dreams in the music business, he was remembered for his warm smile, his encouraging wordsand his positive energy.
At just 23 years old, DaSilva’s life ended Sunday, April 22, at a Waffle House in Antioch, wherehe was one of four people shot and killed in a mass shooting that injured several others. DaSilva’s funeral was held Saturday at Olive Branch Church in Nashville, drawing hundreds of friends and family members who gathered to honor his life.
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“Akilah had this rare combination of a desire to succeed and kindness,” Chris George, DaSilva’s government teacher at Cane Ridge High School said. “He wanted to be successful, but I think he also wanted to do it the right way.
"He worked hard, he didn’t cut any corners, he tried his best. He was always deeply reflective about himself and the world around him.”
DaSilva's brother Abede Dasilva and his girlfriend, Tia Waggoner, werewith him at the Waffle House when the shooting broke out on April 22. Waggoner remains in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as of Saturday.
Travis Reinking, 29, is charged with four counts of criminal homicide, four counts of attempted homicide and one count of having a firearm while committing a dangerous felony in connection with the shooting. A 34-hour manhunt followed the shooting.Reinkingremainsincarceratedwithout bail awaiting trial.
DaSilva was one of six siblings. Hismother, Shaundelle Brooks, wept at his casket as her oldest son Abede DaSilva consoled her. Family members wrapped their arms around her and one another as she mourned.
“Please no,” she cried at the casket. “I love you so much. I’m going to miss you.”
DaSilva went by “Natrix Dream” and among Nashville’s independent musicians and labels he was a go-to videographer. He had recently released a single, titled “Platinum,” which was played during visitation along with other tracks he recorded, his friend Chris Rhone said.
"Music is my life and I will never stop until I achieve my dreams," he had written on his Twitter account.
George described DaSilva’s music as an “incredible legacy” for Nashville and he praised DaSilva for inspiring others to have the courage to pursue their passions.
George said he got to know DaSilva best during his senior year. It was clear DaSilva cared deeply about his family, friends and community, and he only had kind words for those around him. As a student, DaSilva had a significant impact on George personally and professionally, he said.
One day at Cane Ridge High School, DaSilva asked George if he planned on having childrenand told George he should, that he would make a great parent. At the time,George had been unsure about having kids, questioning if he could be the parent he wanted to be. Now, years later, with a five-month-old son, Georgesaid he often thinks about that interaction.
“That conversation has a lot to do with why he is here,” George said of his son. “He helped me believe in myself.”
Family friend Rufus Hines described DaSilva as a "true hero" and said he "laid down his life for another."
To DaSilva's pre-schoolteacher Corita Edwards,DaSilva was a delightful child, only troubled when he had to get off the school computers. He had a strong attachment to his mother, who regularly volunteered at the Dudley Head Start school, Edwards said, praising Shaundelle DaSilva's dedication to her children.
"He was handsome, creative, tenacious, intuitive and had the most beautiful smile," Edwardssaid. "And yes, Akilah was my favorite. He was the teacher's pet."
Yvonne Owens, who taught with Edwards, also emphasized the strong love DaSilva had for his mother, and sheoffered condolences to Shaundelle DaSilva and his siblings.
"I know it feels like a big hole has just been gutted out of your heart and soul," she said. "It's going to always hurt. The hurt will get better to handle. Talk to the Lord."
DaSilva’s family, through a statement read from the pulpit by Rev. Donna Morgan, said they hoped that meaningful gun reform would come from the tragedy.
“We hope that in the midst of this senseless act of terrorist hate Akilah’s life will not be in vain,” Morgan read. “We pray that this tremendous loss will spark tangible action in true gun law reform so no other family will ever have to experience this sort of tragedy.”
Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer and other Waffle House executives attended the funeral.
Both the Olive Branch Church Choir and the Simeon Baptist Church Choir sang in celebration of DaSilva’s life.
Reach Jamie McGee at 615-259-8071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_.
