VIRGINIA, USA — A violent weekend in Hampton Roads spills into the work week, with the latest shooting claiming the life of a 17-year-old boy in Hampton.
Hampton police investigators believe the shooting happened in a townhome apartment complex on Michigan Drive on Monday night.
However, they said they ultimately found the 17-year-old boy inside a car that crashed in a ditch less than a mile away near LaSalle and Armistead avenues. He died at the hospital.
According to 13News Now records, there have been six separate shootings across Hampton Roads, since Saturday night. From then until Tuesday, at least eight people have been shot in Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.
At least four of them were teenagers; three of them died from their injuries. No suspect information or arrests have been announced in any of the cases.
In the meantime, anti-violence advocates are pushing for everyone in the community to get involved.
"Enough is enough," said Troy Ketchmore, who alongside his sister Chanell Ketchmore runs the nonprofit organization Ketchmore Kids, Inc.
The two are determined to reduce acts of violence, by sponsoring free programs and services and advocating for area youth.
"We have to learn that every beef doesn't have to end in death," said Troy.
The Ketchmores teach conflict resolution and positive parenting skills in free workshops.
"It is non-judgmental, it's strength-based. It's truly working with caregivers where they are, and coming up with strategies to manage different behavior," Chanell said when discussing the parenting sessions.
Ketchmore Kids, Inc. is about to launch a yoga program as well.
Along with other advocates, the siblings visit juvenile detention centers.
"And reduce that recidivism," said Chanell. "Trying to shift the track, shift the mindset."
Furthermore, it's about letting young people know someone's looking out for them, Troy said. He wants to empower troubled youth to carve a new path.
"We want them to have an opportunity to live enough life, so they can make their transition," Troy added.
Additionally, Chanell pointed out that all kinds of nonprofit organizations are making an impact across Hampton Roads.
"My challenge to community members [...] is what are you doing to be proactive as well," said Chanell.
Some of that proactivity can start at home from parents or caregivers, according to the Ketchmores. Troy further implored men to step up as mentors and positive role models.
"Fathers, uncles, brothers, whoever, say something, stand up and say something," said Troy.
Moreover, Ketchmore Kids, Inc. visited Washington D.C. last week to engage in an idea-sharing session with the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Chanell and Troy attended with the Newport News Mayor, Police Chief, other city leaders and advocates.