“Family Pleads for Answers as Community Calls for End to Gun Violence in Little Rock Shooting Tragedy”
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Family members are pleading for answers, and community members are calling for an end to gun violence as Little Rock police continue to investigate the shooting.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock police have confirmed the identities of the two teens killed in the shooting that happened in the 1600 block of West 22nd Street on Sunday.
The victims are 13-year-old Donta Gurley and 14-year-old Naqualo Smith.
As police investigate the teens’ deaths, community members are calling for an end to gun violence.
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Smith’s family said he had an infectious smile that brought joy to so many.
“He was a happy man,” Smith’s aunt Jennifer Dorn said. “He always kept a smile on his face. He loved football. He always thought of others before himself… He touched so many people, so many people at his young age.”
But on Sunday morning, their world would change.
“I got the call Sunday morning,” Dorn said. “My sister told me that Naqualo didn’t make it back home the night before.”
Smith’s family said they filed a missing person’s report, and police called back and said his description matched a murder victim.
“This is a shock to everybody from us, his family, to his coaches to school,” Dorn said. “Everybody is just in shock. It still doesn’t feel real.”
Overnight, Smith was shot and killed alongside Gurley. They were found dead just after midnight in the 1600 block of West 22nd Street.
“Naqualo wasn’t mixed up in nothing,” Dorn said. “This is Naqualo’s first time sneaking out of the house. He never did anything like this.”
His family is now preparing for a holiday without him. Dorn said the last time she spoke to Smith was about Christmas presents.
“I was texting all the kids and asking them what they want for Christmas,” Dorn said. “The crazy thing is, [his gift] came in the same day we got the call.”
Community members like Yolanda Harrison are pushing for an end to gun violence, teaming up with other moms to form the group Moms of Black Sons Standing Against Death.
“We advocate with other mothers by getting mothers to be a voice and speaking out and let them tell their stories,” Harrison said.
Harrison knows the pain of losing a child to gun violence all too well, as last week marked five years since her son was murdered.
“I thought more about my son,” Harrison said. “Now here’s another mother that will have this anniversary… every year, their birthday… she’s going to hurt even more.”
Representing those mothers in pain, Harrison is calling on Arkansans to stop the violence.
“Let’s stop turning a blind eye to this,” Harrison said. “We have more power, but are we willing to use it? Are we just going to sit back and allow it to continue?”
As two families grieve the loss of their kids and search for answers.
“These are kids,” Dorn said. “They’re both babies. Their mommas need closure; we need closure. Just anybody with any information, just come forward, please.”
LRPD said there are no suspects, but this is an active investigation. They’re asking anyone with information to call in.
Family members are pleading for answers and community members are calling for an end to gun violence as Little Rock police continue to investigate a shooting that claimed the lives of two teenagers. The victims have been identified as 13-year-old Donta Gurley and 14-year-old Naqualo Smith.
The tragedy occurred in the 1600 block of West 22nd Street on Sunday. As the police investigation into the teens’ deaths continues, community members are rallying against gun violence. Smith’s family described him as a young man with an infectious smile who brought joy to many. They remembered him as someone who loved football and always thought of others before himself.
The devastating news came on Sunday morning when Smith’s family received a call informing them that he hadn’t returned home the previous night. They filed a missing person’s report, only to receive a heartbreaking call back from the police, confirming that Smith’s description matched that of a murder victim.
Smith’s family, along with the entire community, is still reeling from the shock of his untimely death. They expressed disbelief and grief that such a vibrant and caring young person could be taken away so suddenly. Gurley and Smith were found dead in the early hours of the morning, both victims of gun violence.
Smith’s family emphasized that he had no involvement in any criminal activities and that this was his first time sneaking out of the house. They are now preparing for a holiday season without him, with his Christmas present arriving on the same day they received the devastating news.
In response to this tragic incident, community members like Yolanda Harrison are taking a stand against gun violence. Harrison, who lost her own son to gun violence five years ago, has formed a group called Moms of Black Sons Standing Against Death. They aim to be a voice for mothers who have lost their children and advocate for an end to the violence.
Harrison called on Arkansans to stop turning a blind eye to the issue and to use their power to make a change. As two grieving families seek closure and answers, they implore anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Little Rock Police Department stated that there are currently no suspects in custody, but the case remains an active investigation. They urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the authorities.
The deaths of Gurley and Smith serve as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence. Their families, along with the community, are left mourning the loss of two young lives and hoping for justice to be served..
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