The DC community is coming together to offer support and stop gun violence after another violent week.
Washington – WUSA9 is committed to addressing gun violence and how the community in Southeast DC is coming together to offer support and a plan moving forward. On Saturday there was a new event in Anacostia to spread love in a time when we see so many children become victims of gun violence.
“It’s important to know that love still exists,” said Kandis Catalan, community engagement specialist with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
There is a sense of resilience in the community as people seek change in cycling in Southeast DC.
“It’s important to know that there is still hope that there is still true community that happens every day in the district,” Catalan said.
Saturday afternoon’s event comes after a violent week. On Tuesday night around 9:45 p.m., more than 30 rounds of gunfire could be heard on doorbell video obtained by WUSA9.
“All of a sudden I heard what sounded like a war zone and I immediately panicked,” said the man who recorded the doorbell camera video. He did not want to be identified.
Just 10 minutes after this video was recorded, DC police say they responded to the 1900 block of Southeast 18th Street and found an 18-year-old man shot to death.
RELATED: 18-year-old killed in Southeast will graduate next week
“It’s happening a lot,” the man said.
On Friday, a teenage girl was shot and wounded shortly before 9 pm on Southern Avenue.
RELATED: Teen injured in shooting in Southeast DC
“Where is the answer, where is the prevention?” She asked.
The group of about 25 people rowed through the pain through Anacostia Park and to the Navy Yard.
“This is so that the survivors and all the people in the district who have been affected by gun violence know that we are going to support them today,” Catalan said.
One of the participants, Raven Walker, said she wants people to know she is here for them and reminds survivors and victims’ families that there is support here.
“If you don’t come out and be seen, people won’t know what you’re going through,” Walker said. “They won’t know what you’re struggling with and won’t be able to give you help.”
The frequency of gun-related incidents has residents concerned about their safety.
Although MPD data shows that overall violent crime in the district is down 27% compared to the same year last, the reality shows something else.
This group from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention said this is just one step to help curb gun violence here in the District; The plan also includes providing children and families with fun activities to do, especially as we head into the summer months.
“Children are our future,” Catalan said. “There is no tomorrow without our youth, youth has to be here at every moment when we think about how we plan prevention, we have to include youth.”
The plan is to continue this event next year and welcome more people from the community.
RELATED: Project TRIGGER calls for more action to end gun violence in DC
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