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Outbreak of teen violence after 4 separate shootings

Three teens were wounded in three separate shootings in Pittsburgh, Rankin and North Braddock in less than 24 hours. Another teen was murdered in Duquesne last week.

All of the victims are less than 15 years old.

Van Sanders lives in North Braddock. Channel 11 caught up with him just a short time after police put a teenager in handcuffs after a 14-year-old was shot in the leg.

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"I grew up around here, I'm a native," Saunders said. "I'm pretty much used to that sort of violence."

That sort of violence, as he put it, seemed pervasive over the weekend.

About a mile away, a 12-year-old boy was shot while sleeping on a couch in Rankin early Sunday morning.

Just hours later, a 14-year-old was shot on McClure Avenue in Brighton Heights in broad daylight.

Diane Powell is part of the group Black Women for Positive Change. They formed because of the disproportionate number of minority children and youth who are victims of gun violence.

"Like many other individuals in the city, we're devastated by the trends that we see,” Powell said.

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Those trends include 15-year-old Lezra Rice, who was shot and killed last week on Williams Street in Duquesne.

"Oftentimes, the victims don't even know the shooters. A lot of times, the activity is taking place and being driven by what is happening on social media,” Powell said.

Police haven't said if social media is behind any of the recent violence.

Powell told Channel 11 her group works with law enforcement to teach young people conflict resolution and de-escalation strategies.  She said teen gun violence must be addressed by the entire community.

"There are many, many organizations and individuals committed to turning the corner on this violence," Powell said.

The Allegheny County Trauma Unit, for example, goes to shooting scenes. Faith initiative, local churches and faith leaders are also reaching out and helping.

 

Cox Media Group

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