Teens dedicate song, create music video for 15-year-old killed trying to break up fight
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A group of young Black teens from Milwaukee are imploring the city to put down the guns in a creative way. All while remembering and honoring one of their peers they lost to gun violence, 15-year-old Davion Patterson.
On Friday, a group of teens filmed a music video at the Milwaukee Excellence Charter School where Patterson was a freshman. The song dedicated to the teen was written by kids. Rapper Amir Johnikin, 13 years old, and singer Heaven Perry, 17 years old, chanting one message.
"Put the guns away, live your life, we're children. We're supposed to be growing up, having fun, enjoying our childhood, not killing each other like it’s a video game," said Perry.
Patterson was shot dead last month while trying to stop a fight between two groups where five young women were shot and injured near 15th and Concordia.
Patterson's mother, Tiera Carter, said this gesture hit home.
"It brought me to tears, it did. And I really, really appreciate it because it shows how much he was loved," said Carter.
Tracey Dent of Peace for Change Alliance, organizer of the song and video shoot, said he hopes the community listens to those young lives most affected by gun violence.
"It's time to, you know, start focusing on the youth and make the youth have a voice," said Dent.