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Noni Brooks receives condolences Thursday from family and friends at the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. Noni and her daughter -- 5-year-old Jermani -- both were shot in the head Jan. 19. Jermani did not survive.

(Brandon Blackwell, Northeast Ohio Media Group)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Noni Brooks received a standing ovation Thursday night when she walked into the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church.

It was the first time many had seen the West Side mother since she and her 5-year-old daughter Jermani were shot in the head Sunday. Dozens of friends and family members lined the pews to mourn Jermani's death and support a grieving mother.

Noni, with a bandaged right eye and swollen face, held her head high and walked to the pulpit with her fiancé, where they sat for a night of condolences, prayers and remembrance.

Noni didn’t address the congregation. Instead, she blotted her tears as those close to her took turns offering their condolences and sharing memories of Jermani.

“I feel peace in knowing [Jermani] is an angel. A rascal angel, but an angel,” said her grandmother, Safiyyah Brooks.

Jermani and Noni Brooks.

Safiyyah also talked about Jermani getting in trouble at school for talking too much. Jermani loved school, Safiyyah said. Jermani was a helper, affectionate, she said.

“You never imagine yourself walking in these shoes – pain, sadness, anger, fear,” Safiyyah said. “You might hold onto a good memory, but not for long.”

Before meeting at the church, nearly 200 people came together outside a family member’s home for a candlelight vigil.

Many wore pink – Jermani’s favorite color. The crowd released pink balloons as a symbolic “happy birthday” to the little girl. She would have turned 6 years old Thursday.