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.
“It’s happening so frequently,” the man said.
Friday, a teenage girl was shot and injured just before 9 p.m. on Southern Avenue.
“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.
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