Triple-murder on Bissell Street causes community members to plead for help

Loved ones are mourning the three young lives lost: 18-year-old Jo’Von Hopper, 20-year-old Alaya Maez, and 22-year-old Geimisha Broadnax who recently succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

In the 1300 block of Bissell where the murders happened just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday, one neighbor tells ABC57 she has put her home up for sale because of the violence in the area. As a resident here for 10 years she's seen over three shootings, with a bullet hitting her vehicle. As a parent of four young children, she wants to get her family out of the area.

It's not just residents of Bissell Street that are concerned. A former principal in the city has seen the community change over time.

“So, I would say definitely three to five years, there's been a serious uptick in violence in general in the City of South Bend. It's just been a drastic change, and I contribute that to one,” said former principal Tiana Batiste-Wadell. “I believe there is a correlation to the lack of educating our students, them not attaining the education that they need in order to be productive citizens. There's correlations to increases in violence, exposure to violence, if you're not educated.”

Also, At-Large South Bend Councilmember Karen White pleaded with the South Bend community in a press release stating:

“As community members, we cannot ignore what is happening around us. We cannot normalize gunfire, trauma, or fear. We cannot allow our young people to believe that violence is inevitable or that their lives are disposable.”

Both White and Batiste-Wadell called upon South Bend's elected officials, public safety leaders, and parents to help.

“The power to influence children resides in educational institutions. The power to influence a city resides in City Hall,” said Batiste-Wadell. “And so, how can people in power come together to resolve a matter that's obviously impacting the entire community?”

Police are still searching for the shooter, so if you have any tips and want to share anonymously, call 574-288-STOP.