Gun Shots are not something you ever get used to, but this summer there have been so many I am starting not react the way I should, for my own safety. Gun shots have been more frequent this year in our community than in the previous four. I have talked to mothers that have their children sleeping on the floor because they are worried about stray bullets. In May a, 15 year old young man we know was shot in the leg point blank by a 22 year old man. A 10 year old boy that comes to the bike shop witnessed the shooting and said the man had pointed the gun at him first before shooting the other kid. Last Friday, I was at the bike shop repairing a few bikes when 3-4 guys pulled up in a car came down in front of my shop and started firing at someone or something down the street. Even though I knew what had just taken place I ran to the door to see if I could identify the shooter. He was gone. They hopped back into the sedan and took off. I came outside to see what they were shooting at but found nothing.
Today I was at the West End Mall with a kid I take to and pick up from school when 4-5 shots rang out not far from my truck. I saw a car speed away from the scene in my rear view mirror, and resisted the urge to make the chase since the student was in the car.
This is our community. These are reminders of why we invest in kids, why we connect neighbors, why we make this our home. The solutions to these societal issues that we see so often are people like you and I, investing, being present, and playing a part in preventing another generation from growing into one that resorts to gun violence as solutions to problems.
