PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Community activists came together Thursday in Portsmouth to make a stand against gun violence.
Just this week, three children were victims in two separate shootings in the city. A 13-year-old boy was killed and a 14-year-old girl was hurt after someone shot them on Rutter Street on Sunday. Two days later, a 7-year-old girl and a man were both injured in a shooting on Truxton Avenue.
On Wednesday, Portsmouth Interim City Manager LaVoris Pace and Interim Portsmouth Police Chief Scott Burke released a video asking the community for any information that could help police get to the bottom of these shootings, especially since children were involved.
On Christmas Eve, members of activist group Stop the Violence 757 gathered to discuss gun violence plaguing Portsmouth and other cities around Hampton Roads.
“I refuse to give up, I refuse to give up. We shouldn’t have to bury our kids," said Stop the Violence 757 Founder Monica Atkins.
Atkins created the activist group after she lost her son six years ago. Now she helps other families who have lost their children to violence.
Minister Arnette McSwain organized community leaders and police to come together to send a message to stop the violence.
"Love one another. We as a community have been idle for too long and for us to work in unity, let’s save our youth," said McSwain.
"Portsmouth, stop talking about it and be about it. We need your help. We are asking for your help right now. If you hear something, if you see something, call us. If you don’t call us, we won’t know," said Portsmouth Assistant Police Chief Renado Prince.
In November, Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales pledged to advocate for more programs aimed at curbing gun violence after three people had been shot in one night, including an 18-year-old man who was shot to death while he was driving.
Police haven't identified suspects or made arrests in any of these cases.
So far, 34 people have been shot in Portsmouth in 2020 according to Interim Police Chief Burke.