The third annual symposium to curb gun violence comes after several recent shootings, including the death of a 19-year-old. And there have been 222 shootings and 10 homicides among the city's young and young adults so far this year.
But there are positive statistics. Mayor Linda Gorton said overall numbers are down from previous years and Lexington is on track to have the lowest number of non-fatal shootings since 2010, however—
"One homicide, one violent event is too many. In my optimistic heart, I would
like to see one year we have a zero," Gorton said.
Devine Carama, Director of ONE Lexington, stated that they are expanding their All Hearts on Deck Plan, which, he said, has resulted in a 60% decrease in gun violence since 2022.
"That's what All Hearts on Deck means," Carama said. "It's not a one-person organization effort; it's everyone coming together."
Carama said ONE Lexington looks to work upstream and treat the sickness of gun violence, not just the symptoms, with the focus on "meeting kids where they are" in the neighborhoods where they live.