A community is in shock and trying to come to grips with the shooting death of a young teen.
"It is very bad that it had to happen in such a short life term," says Sandra Rollins, Pastor of Hour of Praise Church nearby.
Veronica Chester, a Neighbor says, "I have a son that's twelve thirteen years old and so I feel real bad at such a young child losing his life."
Darius Wallace, 13, was rushed to the hospital Saturday afternoon with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He died during surgery. Investigators believe juveniles were involved in the shooting.
The District Attorney Child Death Investigation team has taken over the case.
Today neighbors told us the community has its fair share of issues.
"It was a lot of gang activity, " says Chester.
Rollins says, "I even see the youth, when they are supposed to be in school they wouldn't be in school."
"We need to give the kids something to do because idle mind is the devil's workshop," says Rollins.
Others tell me this southside neighborhood appeared quiet and safe when they first moved in, but have seen a gradual change for the worse.
"Now since this has happened we see that looks are deceiving I stay inside most of the time," says Shabreca Chambers.
And feels as though things are getting worse and no where is safe
"Everywhere that you move everywhere that you go it is still the same problem same drama," says James Mills.
But a stronger family structure and increased police involvement could possibly turn the neighborhood around.
"Some of the parents, yea it would be a lot different around here if it was stricter here,"says Mills.
Now while one child is dead it appears others kids may be at fault. The question now is why it happened in the first place.
