x
Breaking News
More () »

'There is still hope there ' | Community rallies together for Cycle for Change to offer gun violence victims support

DC community is coming together to offer support and curb 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 forward. Saturday there was a new event in Anacostia spreading love during a time when we are seeing so many children become victims of gun violence.

“It’s important to know that love still exists,” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Community Engagement Specialist, Kandis Catalan said.

There’s a sense of resilience for the community as folks cycle for change in Southeast DC.

 “It’s important to know that there is still hope there is still true community that is happening every single day in the district,” Catalan said.

The event Saturday afternoon comes after a violent week. Tuesday night, around 9:45 p.m. you could hear more than 30 rounds of shots fired on doorbell video obtained by WUSA9.

“All of a sudden I heard what sounded like a war zone and I immediately panicked,” the man who’s doorbell camera caught the video said. 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 18th Street in Southeast and found an 18 year old shot to death.

RELATED: 18-year-old killed in Southeast was set to graduate next week

“It’s happening so frequently,” the man said.

Friday, a teenage girl was shot and injured just before 9 p.m. on Southern Avenue.

RELATED: Teenage girl wounded in Southeast DC shooting

“Where is the response, where is the prevention?” He asked.

The group of about 25 people were paddling through the pain through Anacostia Park and to Navy Yard.

“This is letting survivors know or any and everyone in the District who has been impacted by gun violence we are riding for them today,” Catalan said.

One of the riders, Raven Walker, said she wants people to know that she’s here for them and reminds survivors and victims’ families that there is support here.

“If you don’t get out and get 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 provide you help.”

The frequency of gun related incidents have residents concerned about their safety.

Although data from MPD shows overall violent crime in the district is down 27% compared to this same last year, reality shows something else.

This group with The Office of Gun Violence Prevention said this is just one step to helping curb gun violence here in the District — the plan also includes giving kids and families fun things to do especially now that we are heading into the summer months.

“The kids are our future,” Catalan said. “There’s no tomorrow without our youth, the youth have to be here every single moment when we think about how we plan for prevention we have to include the youth.”

The plan is to continue this event next year and host more people from the community. 

RELATED: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project calling for more action to end gun violence in DC

Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.

MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9

DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android

HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE 

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.

Before You Leave, Check This Out