Community Response to Chattanooga Gun Violence

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – After the shooting, this weekend on grove street resulting in two deaths, some people from the community are trying to bring awareness to this violence.

“We can’t even do that without them coming out and shooting and killing people. Killed two people and it makes no sense at all.”

People from the grove street community reaching out for help.

“Y’all don’t come out here until we have a tragedy. Where are y’all at one single parent need help with these teenagers?”

After a weekend of multiple shootings, Ladarius Price with “Placing Emphasis on Kids” or P.E.A.K is trying to make a difference. 

“This is not something that’s new to us, that’s new to them because of course, we’re out in the community all the time.”

He says the change needs to come through community walking through these neighborhoods through the canvas it’s so important and why that bond means so much. 

“We just want to be that group that continues to be consistent, not just showing up when the cameras are here, not just showing up every once in a while.”

“Go back to these communities and talk to these people who don’t understand what’s going on around them. Educate and teach them that there is another way and there is another way and there are people that are willing to help.”

Through the peak program Price mentored two of the victims who had what could have been taken away from them. 

“You never get used to it. I’ve lost students before but this weekend it was just different from the aspect of losing multiple young people. Two 21-year-olds, male and female their lives just cut short so abruptly due to gun violence.”

Sgt. Holmes says it may not be at your front door yet but it impacts all of us. 

“There’s a lot of good people in these communities. They should not live in fear. I don’t live in fear and they shouldn’t either.”