Beyond the Headlines: Mothers Share the Realities of Life After Gun Violence

The headlines tell us who was shot, where it happened, and when. But what comes after?

In the documentary What’s Left Behind, nine Chicago mothers who lost their children to gun violence share their stories — not just of loss, but of the heavy, complicated lives they’ve had to navigate in the aftermath.

The film was shown in Indianapolis during a community convening hosted by the Indianapolis Foundation and the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana. The airing of What’s Left Behind at Arts of Lawrence was followed by a panel discussion with the film producers and two Indianapolis residents impacted by gun violence.

Co-producers Dr. Janice Marie Collins and Lisa Butler said that the documentary calls on viewers to resist desensitization and to honor the full weight of what’s being left behind after viewing news that basically summarizes a gun shooting in a seconds-long clip.

“What’s Left Behind was inspired by a research project I participated in,” Butler said. “I wanted to understand what happens to families after the funeral — when the public attention fades, but the pain remains. I was especially interested in how gun violence impacts families emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially.

“What I found was heartbreaking,” added Butler, who is a licensed clinical social worker in Chicago. “Families’ lives are changed forever. Grief sets in, but many don’t have access to the resources or support they need. Therapy isn’t always an option, so some turn to substances or shut down completely. Siblings often fall into deep depression and withdraw. I also learned how financially devastating this can be. Many mothers couldn’t return to work or care for their other children. The loss doesn’t just take a life; it shakes the entire foundation of the family.”

Collins, an associate professor at Ohio University, said as the public navigates the news of gun shootings, it’s important to understand that everyone has a story.

“We don’t always get the time or space to hear what happens months or even years after a tragedy,” she said. “These interviews (of the nine Chicago mothers) began nearly a decade ago, and many families are still trying to heal. The truth is, there’s no quick fix for trauma. There’s no medication that erases it. But telling these stories — and having others care enough to listen — is powerful. It reminds families that they’re not alone in their grief, that their pain matters, and that their loved ones mattered.”

She also said that every life lost to gun violence represents a future that’s now gone.

A local mother’s pain

Antonia Bailey, an Indianapolis mother who lost two of her children to gun violence in 2019, was among the panelists featured at the event on March 29. 

“I know firsthand the deep and lasting impact of pulling a trigger,” Bailey said. “When someone makes that decision, it's not just one life that's taken — it's a ripple effect of destruction. You not only end a life, but you shatter the lives of everyone connected to that person — their family, their friends, their siblings. The pain doesn’t end with the act; it spreads, deeply and silently, through entire communities.”

Bailey founded Untold Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit in honor of her children, Nicholas and Ashlynn Nelson, to help diminish the risk factors that can often lead to gun violence. The organization’s mission is to combat gun violence and support youth through mentorships, community events, and educational opportunities. It also supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, scholarship opportunities, summer job programs, and youth discovery camps — all designed to give young people hope, direction, and opportunity, Bailey said.

“I want people to see the pain behind the statistics, to recognize the hurt in our hearts, and understand just how much damage one senseless act of violence can cause,” said Bailey, who also serves as the Non-Fatal Shooting Advocate Manager with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

In that role, she works directly with families impacted by gun violence, reaching out to people who have experienced shootings or stabbings within the first 24 to 48 hours and connects them with resources and support.

“With shootings more frequent than ever, our work focuses heavily on preventing retaliation and helping individuals find a safer, more stable path forward,” she said. “It’s not just about reacting — it's about healing, prevention, and creating real change in our communities.”

Moving forward with hope

As part of the event, a persistent theme emerged as a result of the screening and panel discussion — honoring the lives of those lost to gun violence and their families by acknowledging their grief and seeking solutions.

“We have to keep telling these stories to honor those lives, to help others heal, and to prevent more loss. It matters when people care,” Collins said. “Just knowing someone sees your pain can be deeply healing. These weren’t just headlines; they were children, siblings, parents. And their families are still here, still struggling, still hoping someone will listen. We hope this documentary encourages empathy, reflection, and a deeper look at the root causes of violence — not just punishment, but understanding. These stories deserve to be heard, and we’re honored to help carry them forward.”

Butler said that when people watch the documentary, she wants them to not only have sympathy for the families but to ask the question, ‘What can we do to stop this gun violence?’