MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As the search for suspects in Saturday’s Orange Mound block party mass shooting continues, family and friends of 17-year-old victim Antonio Humphrey held his funeral Saturday.
“Today is the homegoing of a young man I’ve been knowing I guess they say from the cradle to the grave," Keith Leachman who says he's a family friend told ABC24. "I’m just here to support the family. We got a problem in the city — we got a serious serious problem!”
In total, the gunfire at Orange Mound Park in southeast Memphis left two dead and seven injured. It was during a block party that had up to 300 people in attendance.
For three weeks, the shooting sparked a city-wide call to action. Leaders now promising to crack down on the use of glock switches — a device that can turn a handgun into an automatic weapon.
“Gun violence is the number one killer of children in the state of Tennessee," democrat representative Justin Pearson told ABC24. "We have to do everything that we possibly can to end this epidemic. The death of those children in Orange Mound and the trauma that is going to be experienced in Orange Mound, in Memphis and Shelby County in perpetuity is real!”
Community members are also, once again, asking state leaders to reconsider gun laws and expand resources
“For one we start at the top," Leachman said. "You go back and ask them to change them to change bill, to give open carry in the park. Give them some structure. Give them some directions. Let them set goals, get involved in certain positive groups, get them around positive people, watch the in crowds.”
As crime proves to be a continued challenge for the city of Memphis, how to reduce the pain that it has caused communities remains on the minds of civilians, politicians and changemakers in the area.
Click here for a collection of organized facts and data surrounding crime in the Mid-South as well as a list of organizations that could use your help in reducing crime in the city of Memphis.
For example, those looking to get involved with and/or donate to the various groups working to reduce crime in the Memphis area can do so with links like these: