Mothers who lost sons to gun violence beg for answers
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Mothers who’ve lost a son to gun violence are showing their support for another who now shares their pain.
A vigil was held Monday evening for 18-year-old Anthony Morris. The teen was killed Sunday outside a convenience store in the 2000 block of East 30 Street, one of six people shot to death since Friday across the city.
Police haven’t released any suspect descriptions nor have they released a motive in Morris’ death.
Meanwhile, the community is struggling to figure out is why the violence keeps on happening.
“Every time you look up there’s a shooting on the news and they’re getting younger and younger,” said Shannon Swanson. Morris was her nephew. She attended his vigil, still grieving over the death of her 10-year-old son DeShawn. He was killed last October. She couldn’t even count the number of vigils she’s attended since his death.
“It’s sad; it is. But never did I think it would hit our family again,” she said.
Her family is one of many recently affected by gun violence.
Six people were fatally shot in Indianapolis since last Friday. Part of a body was also found in the White River.
“It’s a shame because it’s like soon as the heat [rose] over the weekend we seen the deaths rise. so I mean, I’m afraid of what we have in store for the summer,” Swanson said.
So far this year, IMPD reports Indy has had 35 murders. Through April 17 in 2015, there were 31 murders reports. The year before there were 47.
But behind each number is a story. “Anthony was a loving kid, everybody loved him,” said Swanson, who added that her nephew had been working for his grandfather, stripping gutters.
Two more mothers who lost a son in a shooting led prayers at the vigil. Debra Greene, whose 19-year-old son Jerryn was killed in in 2013, called on the community to reveal any information people have on the crimes to the police.
“If we don’t speak out and speak loud, we will never know justice,” she said.
Donita Royal was standing by Greene’s side. Royal’s son, Walter Harris, was killed in 2013 at 21 years old. Royal couldn’t hide her anger when asked what’s it’s like to know so many were killed over the weekend. “I am so mad,” she said. “Enough is enough.”
Morris’ family is hopeful that surveillance video from the convenience store and neighboring businesses caught who killed the teenager.
Anyone with information related to Morris’ death or the other homicides is asked to call crime stoppers at 262-TIPS (8477).
