Gun violence escalates as West Memphis council resolves to address issue

Gun violence escalates as West Memphis council resolves to address issue

news@theeveningtimes.com

No sooner had the West Memphis City Council adopted a resolution against gun violence Thursday, than a shooting spree erupted in the city. Feuding groups took shots at each other as gunfire rang out from east to west and back to the east side overnight.

One shooting victim was pronounced dead on arrival at Regional One.

Shots fired from a car gunned down Kyland Hinton, 22, at the Steeple Chase Apartments resulting in fatal wounds. Police Captain Joe Baker described the subsequent string of apparent retaliation shootings.

“It was back and forth, From Steeple Chase to Oxford Street and then back over to Gathings Drive,” said Baker. “It’s two groups that are constantly going at it. It bounced from the east to the west and then back over to the east.“ Police wasted no time, ar­resting a pair from Proctor in the Steeple chase drive by shooting. A judge issued warrants for their arrests first thing Friday morning after the shooting overnight Thursday. Demetrice Driver age 21 and 19-year-old Allison Shinall faced identical charges of CAPITAL MURDER-homicide and two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle after being booked into the county jail Friday afternoon.

The second shots rang out on the west side. Lakendrick Jones was shot in the left foot on Oxford Street. Jones’ condition was reported as non-critical.

Police also reported a 17year-old male as the third shooting victim of the night. The juvenile, shot in the head, was transported to Regional One for medical attention, died over the weekend. His name was not released due to the age of the victim.

“A bullet entered the house and struck him in the head,” said Baker.

Police remained actively investigating all three shootings. Anyone with any information about the incident was urged to contact the West Memphis Police Department dispatch center at (870) 732-7555 or Crittenden County Crime Stoppers at (870) 732-4444. All calls will be kept confidential.

The round of violence came just hours after the West Memphis City Council, in hopes of curbing violence in the city, officially endorsed a resolution put forward by Councilman Marco McClendon designating the month as Gun Violence and Safety Awareness month. The Ward 4 councilman hoped the measure would bring light to the need to promote community involvement, create safer community, encourage stronger gun laws and remember murder victims in West Memphis.

The resolution listed the names of 190 homicide victims in the city since 1990.

McClendon said the list delivered a reality check.

“I wanted to humanize it, because I want people to understand we are losing too many fathers, mothers and young kids,” said Mc-Clendon. “ It needs to be recognized. We need to feel the impact. In our neighbor hood, I’ve known victims personally. Bullets going everywhere, that bothers me. I know we all care.”

McClendon pointed out the homicide pace this year. The worst year for killings was 1996 with 14. A dozen murders were reported by police year-to date-through Thursday evening. With 2018 just half-way through, McClendon worried aloud about the city murder tally reaching a new peak.

“We are on pace for a new all-time high,” said Mc-Clendon. “At one time, you could get into a fight and just go home and calm down. Now everyone is riding with guns.”

The resolution called for gun restrictions, citing 1993 Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act, and called on the state legislature to add “common sense restrictions including a gun registry to engage responsible gun ownership while simultaneously affirming Second Amendment right to bear arms.” The balance between the two stated as, “we believe the looseness in the law contributes to many shootings and deaths in the City of West Memphis.”

The resolution called for a unified campaign with the police department, faith based community, social organizations, and nonprofits organizations and the community at large to end gun violence, denounce gang activity, school shootings, suicide and domestic violence.

Community leaders called for a prayer vigil to stop the violence Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Tilden Rodgers Park from 6:30 -7:30 p.m.

“Let’s come together for West Memphis; stop the violence,” exhorted Tony Wilson.

By John Rech