Memphis leaders unite to combat youth gun violence through community action
Memphis leaders unite at Greater Imani Church to address youth gun violence crisis.
Author: Kevin McNamara
Published: 10:50 PM CDT April 30, 2025
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn — Leaders with MSCS alongside MPD and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) gathered at Greater Imani Church on Wednesday to find a way to get kids to put the guns down.
“We’re here because our students are facing, in my opinion, a crisis. This is not just a school issue, it’s a public health issue, a community issue, and most of all, a human issue,” said superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond.
Last week’s deadly shooting of two students at Booker T Washington High School is still top of mind for many in attendance, but it’s just the latest in a long line of gun violence for Memphis students. Some are fed up.
“Our community needs to actually be in the community. Instead of constantly having meetings and talking about how we’re going to fix it, we need to actually start putting that into action and helping our youth. Putting in more community centers and more positive role models,” said MSCS graduate Nakayla Curry.
Gun violence has become the number one killer of teenagers in America, surpassing car accidents. Still, there’s belief that Memphis and its students are more than just victims.
MPD and the SCSO stressed the importance of gun locks to keep your kids away from weapons or even not telling your children you have weapons in the home at all to reduce accidents.