Families mourn children killed by gun violence as community groups try to turn the tide

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Amid the most recent stretch of gun violence to impact young people IN Milwaukee, families of victims are imploring gun owners to be more careful and protect their children.

At the same time, law enforcement organizations and community groups are reaching out to young people to make sure they feel as safe as possible.

Thursday evening, we were invited to a birthday party for a boy who wasn't there: Harry Singh would have turned 10 Thursday, but he was accidentally shot and killed Monday, one of 15 children under the age of 18 to die from gun violence so far this year.

Now, instead of planning a celebration his family is planning a funeral. And children throughout the city are feeling the effects.

Harry's cousin King told us, "I love Harry very much, so for him to pass is just heartbreaking."

Harry's cousins and siblings said they miss him, especially on his birthday.

His youngest sister is four. The whole family is trying to process his death.

His mother Tashia Simmons said, "He was a very bright light to me."

While his mother worked Monday, an older cousin watched Harry and his 14-year-old brother. A gun went off in their car. Harry died at the scene.

His mother said he helped his siblings and cousins with their reading and learning colors, and they played basketball together.

At a memorial service Thursday, his family also celebrated his birthday.

Simmons said, "I'm hanging in there but it's hard to deal with. It's not an easy thing to lose a child."

Simmons is one of more than a dozen Milwaukee mothers who will bury a child this year. She said, "You just don't want it to happen like that. You want people to be safe out here. Especially children."

But many people are trying to slow the violence in the face of concerning trends.

Across town Thursday, law enforcement and community groups hosted a youth engagement event in Sherman Park, where another teen had been shot two nights earlier.

Marcey Patterson, MPD's Community Engagement Manager, said, "It really takes a village, and so I encourage our adults in our communities to positively engage and be a part of the solution."

Leaders are trying to reach young people at their level with important messaging to make sure the kids know they are seen and heard and that someone cares.

Pastor Marty Calderon works with Promise Keepers. He told us, "We may see an increase in the violence, but we also have an increase in numbers that are out there trying to make a difference."

But that does not ease the pain for too many families already grieving.

Harry's cousin King said, "I wish he was still here so none of this would have happened."

Marcey Patterson is hoping to plan more youth engagement events that would be held in several different neighborhoods throughout the summer. And they're calling for more community organizations to join them.