Shernetta Dunmore’s family members are leaning on their faith as they grapple with how the trial in her death ended—a conviction but for a lesser charge.

Last week, a jury at Stamford Superior Court acquitted Ian Evans of murder but found him guilty of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm for shooting and killing Dunmore on Sept. 20, 2020. Jamal Dunmore, Shernetta Dunmore’s older brother, recalled his emotions when the decision came down.

“Frustration and sadness and hurt, but I gave it to the right entity, thank God,” Jamal Dunmore said, motioning to the sky. “But it won't go away. It won't go away.”

Shernetta Dunmore, 35, of Stamford, was at a block party at the Ursula Place complex, celebrating the end of summer when she lost her life. Stamford police said just after midnight, gunfire broke out, leaving Shernetta Dunmore dead and two men injured. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, a bystander who got caught in the crossfire, according to police.

At trial, the prosecution pointed to surveillance video they said showed the defendant firing multiple shots in the direction of Shernetta Dunmore.

“I kind of idolized my sister,” Jamal Dunmore told News 12. “She had a motherly personality, not just in our home but with her friends, a lot of people who knew her well.”

Shernetta Dunmore also had a son, now 19, who’s left to cope not just with the injustice of losing his mother, but what some loved ones believe was an injustice at trial. Jamal Dunmore said the facts don’t align with the verdict, but family has to accept it.

“It's tough. It's tough. I mean, I can't imagine as a child losing his mom in that fashion. But as a brother, it's parallel, and it's something we're going to unpack for a long time,” Jamal Dunmore stated.

Evans' sentencing is set for Nov. 7. He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for the manslaughter with a firearm conviction. The jury also found Evans guilty of first-degree assault and criminal possession of a firearm.