Durham mayor discusses violence reduction plan after death of community gun violence advocate
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the City of Durham continues developing its community violence reduction plan, city leaders are also mourning the loss of a local mother and community advocate killed by gun violence.
During an update on the city's violence reduction efforts, Leo Williams addressed the death of Michelle Keenan, who was killed after gunfire erupted inside her home in Rochelle Manor.
"Ms. Keenan should not have lost her life," Williams said. "She committed her life to saving others."
The mayor also spoke about the broader effect that gun violence continues to have on families and communities across Durham.
"I pray to God that we can continue to work toward not letting another Ms. Keenan lose their life or another child lose their life, or another child pull the trigger senselessly," Williams said. "I hope we can put things in place where folks will value their lives more."
Williams said the city has held several community conversations, both online and in-person, since January as part of the effort to create Durham's violence reduction plan.
According to the mayor, the meetings are helping shape what will ultimately become the city's formal strategy to address violence and crime. Residents have shared their perspectives and lived experiences related to crime in Durham, and Williams said the conversations have included a wide variety of voices.
"There are people who have come to these events who are afraid to go in communities where these things are happening," Williams said. "Then there are people living in these communities every single day, sharing what they think will solve crime. We're comparing that to national trends."
The next step in the process will be a three-day summit scheduled for June. Williams said that is when the city's violence reduction plan will officially be finalized.
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