Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Neighbors band together, condemn shooting of 8-year-old boy

Police activate task force in northeast Las Vegas neighborhood after weekend shooting

Safe Valley United

Leila Navidi

Larissa Garcia, center, 6, gets a hug from her brother, Jose, 13, while listening to community speakers Monday during a “Safe Valley United” event near the corner of Marion Drive and Kell Lane in northeast Las Vegas.

Safe Valley United

Christian rap group Launch slideshow »

Site where boy was shot

A recent act of violence in one northeast Las Vegas neighborhood prompted a swift response from police and neighbors, who gathered Monday night to decry the Saturday shooting of an 8-year-old boy.

Metro Police and many who live in the area of Marion Drive and Kell Lane banded together as part of Safe Valley United, a partnership between police and community leaders designed to spread a message against violence, as well as ways to prevent it.

Pastor Troy Martinez, of the East Vegas Christian Center, is a Safe Valley United team leader. He said the event offers an opportunity to reach out to the community in a time of need.

"It helps to make sure this kind of thing doesn't go unnoticed," Martinez said. "You see we've got the kids out (among the crowd), and you have to imagine that after something like this, they're scared. The parents won't let them come out.

"With every act of violence, we're going to make sure to come out here."

A stray bullet hit the boy as two cars were passing through the intersection, police said. Authorities say the child is in critical but stable condition at University Medical Center.

Antrisha Jackson, who lives nearby, said she came around the corner and saw the boy, shot, lying on the ground.

"It was like a movie," Jackson said. "A child gets caught in the crossfire with two cars shooting at each other."

She said she has lived in the neighborhood for more than four years, and in that time, has heard about and seen many acts of violence. Jackson said she has two young children. Her oldest, a 6-year-old boy, is no longer allowed to play outside.

"(The shooting) affects him as a kid," she said. “You never know what's going to happen (in this neighborhood)."

A crowd of nearby residents congregated to hear the organization's message. In addition to providing testimonials of people who are recovering from addiction problems, the rally featured positive rap music and free food, drinks and hygiene products.

Volunteers distributed anti-drug fliers, as well as baby diapers, shampoo, paper towels and toothpaste.

Josephine Vasquez was one of many parents in attendance who said she is worried about her children. She said the event, which was drawing attention to the neighborhood’s problems, was "probably the best thing they could do."

Vasquez said there have been several homicides during her years as a resident in the neighborhood.

The whole community must come together to stop the violence, beginning with the parents, she said. As a mother of four, one of whom is the same age as the boy who was shot, she said taking notice is long overdue.

Similarly, Ramona Miquirray, who is 17 and lives in the area, said hearing about the shooting "hurt," though she has hopes that events such as the one Monday night will have a positive effect.

"It helps for sure. This is a really good event because a lot of people come out for it," she said. "I feel sad inside (about the shooting) because no one should be dying. No one should be shooting anyone at all."

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