A Unity Walk Against Gun Violence on Saturday brought hundreds of people to Downtown Memphis to draw attention to the city’s record year for homicides and the heavy toll it takes on communities.
In late September, the number of deaths passed the previous record of 228, set in 2016. At least 29 children have died. Officials predict the homicide count could surpass 300 by the end of the year.
To kick off the two-mile walk, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich called for a variety of individual actions. Lawful gun owners should ensure their weapons are safely stored. Residents could start neighborhood watch programs or get involved mentoring youth, either through an organization or through more informal relationships.
“Some of you listening to me this morning have children at home, you can commit to doing everything possible to teach your children how to resolve conflicts and issues peacefully,” Weirich said.
Sandy Bromley with the Shelby County Crime Victims and Rape Crisis Center said for the thousands of clients the center works with each year, the impacts of gun violence are life-altering and long lasting. One victim was unexpectedly shot on the freeway on their way to work.
“They didn’t plan on the subsequent weeks at the hospital and working hard to recover physically from those gunshots, while the medical bills are piling up," she said. "They didn’t have any income coming in."
Cassandra Kuykindall Gwynn marched carrying a poster with a picture of her 27-year-old son, who was murdered at a convenience store in 2009.
She thinks part of the solution is investing more resources into education for young people so they aren’t tempted by crime.
“I feel everyone that's lost a loved one to violence. I feel their pain” she said. “It’s a struggle on a daily basis."
"The pain doesn't get any better, it just eases for a moment,” she added.
