JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One year after an 8-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet as she was in her grandparents' home, a rally was held to honor her life, other young people who have died violently and continue the community's struggle with gun violence.
Last July 26, DreShawna Davis' murder outraged and frustrated law enforcement officials and made the community mad. The Davis family invited the sheriff and other elected officials, community leaders and religious leaders to join them late Thursday afternoon at the Justice Coalition office on Lane Avenue.
Recommended Videos
"We're still going through this. We still go through this every day," DreShawna's mother, Chinetta Davis, said Thursday.
The shock of an 8-year-old killed by a stray bullet and other senseless murders sparked the city to host a Day of Faith at Jacksonville's Veterans Memorial Arena -- a decision that got the city sued over violating the separation of church and state. But the event got residents from all parts of Jacksonville involved in fighting what had been perceived as an inner-city problem.
"We are tired of our kids being killed," said Beverly McClaine, whose son was killed in June 2005. "We are tired of it... Enough is enough."
The Rev. Mark Griffin is a member of a group of pastors who have worked for the past year to reduce the murder rate.
"We are not going to find a quick fix," Griffin said. "At this point, I don't think things are better."
Police statistics back up Griffin's observation. Seven children under 18 have died from gun violence in Jacksonville so far this year.
Channel 4's Emily Pantelides interviewed Griffin in one of the city's most violent areas -- a spot where 17-year-old Rico Melvin was killed two days before.
"I just ran to him grabbed his hand and said, 'Granny's here, Granny's here. Just keep breathing baby... just keep breathing,'" Nettie Pinckney said.
Sheriff John Rutherford released a statement Thursday saying that the deaths of DreShawna and others last year bolstered the community's collective intolerance for these crimes, the murders continue.
What has changed, Rutherford said, is that "partnerships with other law enforcement agencies at the state and federal levels are stronger than ever."
The sheriff also said that Operation Safe Street's gun bounty program resulted in getting 82 illegal guns and 79 people who carried them off the streets in the past year.
And much of the success we've had, particularly in these senseless murders, is because someone knew something and told what they knew," Rutherford said.
Three brothers -- Tajuan, Rasheem and Terell Dubose -- are charge with first-degree murder and await trial in DreShawna Davis' death.
- July 24, 2007: 4 Teens Fatally Shot In 24 Hours
- February 9, 2007: Uncle Of Slain Girl Sentenced, Blamed For Death
- December 11, 2006: 3 Charged In Drive-By Killing Of Young Girl
- December 7, 2006: Uncle In Court In Case Related To Girl's Death
- August 5, 2006: City Unites In Grief For DreShawna
- August 4, 2006: 3rd Grade Teacher Prepares Eulogy For Slain Student
- August 1, 2006: Defiant 'Persons Of Interest' Held Without Bond
- July 28, 2006: City To Flood High-Risk Neighborhoods With Police
- July 28, 2006: Uncle Questioned About 8-Year-Old's Slaying
- July 27, 2006: 'Another Senseless Murder' Takes Life Of 8-Year-Old
- July 26, 2006: Girl Killed In Drive-By Shooting