City Grill shooting widow releases book

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Tanisha Mackin never imagined she'd be writing a book about something so tragic yet so close to her heart.

"The book brings back memories of my husband, so it makes me sad and it makes me happy because I'm putting his memory out there," said Mackin.

In August 2010, Tanisha was celebrating her one year wedding anniversary with her husband Danyell Mackin, at City Grill, when all of a sudden the unthinkable happened.

Shooter Riccardo McCray opened fire, hitting 8 people and killing 4.

Tanisha's husband Danyell did not survive the attack.

Mackin said, "It's hard don't get me wrong, this is not easy but you can go on with life."

Since the tragedy, Tanisha who now lives in Georgia, has written a book about her experience.

On Saturday she came back to True Bethel Baptist Church to sign copies of her first book appropriately titled, "Still Standing."

Mackin added, "Within 8 months I gave birth to my second child, diagnosed with cancer and lost my husband, within 8 months in 2010."

Tanisha says she wrote the book to help others get through their trials and tribulations.

"People think that because the trial is over that there is closure but there is still a missing unit in families," said Mackin.

Tanisha's cousin, Monica Lewis says she hopes the community can learn from the book, and move forward in a positive direction.

Lewis said, "We as a community need to come together and stop taking from one another but trying to give to one another."

"I'm very proud of her. She's turned tragedy into victory and although we are missing Danyell I'm glad that Tanisha is still being a proud mother, she's still graduated she's overcome cancer, she's raising her children she's living her life," added Lewis.

Rashaad Robinson said, "We need to put the neighbor back in the hood and stop the violence, unity, love, peace."

To order the $15 book, go to www.stillstanding.me or you can send a money order to Tanisha Mackin at P.O. box 83 McDonough, Georgia 30253.