Community members speak out after 14-year-old is killed in shooting

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- Police identified the 14-year-old killed in a Mishawaka shooting last Friday as Devonte Freeman from South Bend.

The teenager was found by Mishawaka Police with a gunshot wound in a home at 615 Locust Street around 7 pm. Freeman later died at the hospital.

Both neighbors and the co-founder of the advocacy group called Mamas Against Violence told ABC57 they were devastated another young life was cut short by gun violence.

“The weapons of guns in our young people's hands and what do we see? We see 14-year-olds, 15-year-old’s dying or killing,” said Bobbie Woods, the Co-Founder & President of Mamas Against Violence.

Woods founded the advocacy group after the homicide of her own son almost 20 years ago.

She told ABC57 Friday’s deadly shooting of 14-year-old Freeman hit home for her.

“My condolences go out to that family. I understand and I can feel their pain. I know what they’re going through at this time.”

The tragedy also left some neighbors shaken up and frustrated.

“It’s horrifyingly sad. It shouldn’t happen anywhere unfortunately there’s a lot of issues with just crime everywhere. It’s slowly been going downhill in this area,” said a neighbor in the area who wished to remain anonymous.

“With a lot of gun play in the neighborhood, it’s hard to tell and it is a little upsetting,” added Lisa Mcginty, another neighbor in the area.

Officials said Freeman’s death marks St. Joseph County’s 26th shooting homicide this year, with five of those victims under 18-years-old.

The latest incident sparked the push from neighbors and Woods to call on everyone to do more.

“I would like to see a lot more police patrols,” said Mcginty.

“We have got to step up and do something and stop talking about it and be about it. Mamas I’m calling on you,” added Woods. “We carried these babies for nine months and to allow somebody to walk up and talk their lives it’s not right.”

Mishawaka Police are still investigating exactly what happened in Friday’s homicide and so far, no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can reach out to the Mishawaka Police Department at 574-258-1684.

Mamas Against Violence will also be holding a community remembrance event for homicide victims on September 24th at Howard Park from 9-1 pm.