Event calls for action after July 4 violence

DETROIT (WXYZ) — “This is a call to action to everyone in the city of Detroit,” Detroit City Council member Latisha Johnson said during a Stop the Violence event Wednesday night at Edmore Marbud Park on Detroit’s east side.

During the event, elected officials, city leaders and community members prayed for the injured and mourned the victims of the numerous shootings over the Fourth of July weekend.

“She is 20 years old. She was shot in the face,” said Shanae Fletcher’s uncle.

Fletcher was one of two people killed at a street festival early Sunday morning; a total of 21 people were shot.

“When the kids heard the videos, they were scared,” said Fletcher’s Uncle Q. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The shooting scene was just blocks from East Side Park, where Wednesday’s event took place.

VIDEO: Shootings at illegal street parties in Detroit on the weekend of July 4 left 3 dead and 24 injured

Three people died and 24 were injured during illegal street parties in Detroit on the Fourth of July weekend

“I’m still devastated by what happened,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “The community should be devastated by what happened.”

The event was organized by Sheffield and highlighted community-based violence intervention programs and resources.

“We need to show our youth that conflicts cannot be resolved by resorting to weapons. Disputes cannot be resolved by resorting to weapons,” Sheffield said.

“It’s OK to disagree,” says Shawn Hurst, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. “We won’t always agree on everything, but it’s not OK to take another person’s life.”

Hurst is one of many brothers from the fraternity who support Jordan Thornhill. The 22-year-old was killed at another street party on the west side on the night of July 4. He is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where he was a member of the same fraternity and chapter as Hurst.

VIDEO: Young MSU graduate among victims of July 4th street celebrations in Detroit

MSU graduate shot dead at street festival

“You can see the age range of the people here,” Hurst said, looking around. “It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are in the brotherhood. We are brothers and we are united.”

On the night Thornhill was shot, Detroit police reported 10 shootings with 13 victims. Many of the the shootings took place at street partiesAt the rally on Wednesday, not only were the dead and injured remembered, but a vow was also made that something like this must never happen again.

“This is not a call to break up street parties. It is a call to action to keep the community safe and legalize street parties,” said community activist and violence intervention specialist Ray Winans.

VIDEO: Street festivals in Detroit must be approved by the city; this is how it works

Street festivals in Detroit must be approved by the city; this is how it works

“Are we going to fix this shit or not?” Fletcher’s Uncle Q said during the event. “Don’t hold this (press) conference just to talk about it, because tomorrow it’s over and everyone has to get back to living their lives.”

Eleven of the 19 victims of Saturday’s shooting who were hospitalized were discharged from hospital. There is currently no one in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

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