Memphis families desperately seek solutions to child-related gun violence

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Families in Memphis are grieving after several children fell victim to gun violence this past week. Orange Mound has been particularly hard hit, where gun violence remains an ongoing issue.

This comes after a tragic shooting on Friday, April 11 that took the life of a two-year-old boy. Days later, another child lost their life in a shooting at Tom Lee Park downtown.

“It’s hurting my heart to watch my community fall like this when I’m knowing this was a wholesome community where people loved each other,” said Guns Down in Orange Mound leader, Esther Cook-Jones.

Gun violence is nothing new for many Memphis families, who have been dealing with the problem for years.

According to retired Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Captain Bennie Cobb, there have been about 25 incidents with children so far this year, with over 150 last year.

“It’s heartbreaking, I tell you. It’s every single day for the last couple weeks there’s either been a child hurt, harmed, or killed accidentally, or through an act of violence,” said Cobb.

Memphians are heartbroken by the amount of gun violence the city has seen, especially when it comes to kids.

“It just hurts me to see another kid that lays right there dying, so like the organization, they got a lot of work to do in this community,” said Memphis resident, Warren Swift.

“We perishing out here because of the crime and like I was saying I got a lot of children,” said resident, Troy Reed. “I got seven children, four boys, three girls, and I don’t want them to have to partake in the violence that’s going on out here, so I try to be a role model, father figure and extend that to the community.”

Cobb believes it will only get worse once the summer begins and says now is the time for community leaders to step up.

“People are going to be out. More people are getting their hands on guns. The temperature, people’s temperature are going to be rising. They’re going to be a situation where people have short patience,” said Cobb.

Leaders like Cook-Jones with the group Guns Down in Orange Mound are trying their best to contribute to helping their community.

“When we do our organization, Guns Down in Orange Mound. I know I can’t stop the gun violence, but what I try to do. I try to bring some joy, some fulfillment, and some hope to my community,” said Cook-Jones.

An annual easter egg hunt will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. to give back to the community and support the children with their efforts to end gun violence.