INDIANAPOLIS — WRTV numbers show that at least five teens have been killed by gun violence this year alone.
One mother who knows the feeling of losing a child wants to help put an end to the violence.
“It does not just stop with the parents; it does take the schools, the churches, the community centers. It really takes everybody to work hand in hand in this,” Kianna Jones said.
Kianna Jones lost her son, Khalil Bankhead, on October 4, 2019 after a shooting on the Northside. He was 15-years-old at the time.
“He was the life of my house, he was very outgoing, he was very musically inclined,” Jones said.
The incident happened in the 8700 block of Pemberton Circle shortly after 2 a.m. in the parking lot of an apartment complex.
“I never got to see my son in the hospital — I had to identify him in the picture,” Jones remembered.
Now, she is hoping to be part of the change.
“We know that families across our communities deserve safe, supervised options for our teenagers,” Judith Thomas, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement for the City of Indianapolis, said.
On Monday, the City of Indianapolis kicked off the Safe Summer program. The program offers a fun and safe option for teens this summer — an effort city leaders hope will help stop the rise in violence among Indiana youth.
Safe Summer runs from June 10 through August 5 at Garfield, Riverside and Washington Parks
“The last couple of years has been a challenge for kids in Indianapolis and it’s up to us make sure this summer is a safe summer for all,” Thomas said.
WRTV numbers show that five teens have been lost to gun violence in 2022. As of April 18, that number was three in both 2021 and 2020.
“I’m really just having to be the strong one in this situation - Khalil lost his dad when he was 7 to gun violence,” Jones said.
Khalil would have turned 18 later this year. Now, Kianna is fighting to make sure families don’t have to live a day without their children.
“Really just everybody just needs to have all hands on deck - just be supportive to the parent,” Jones said.
RELATED: 2022 Indianapolis homicide map| People We've Lost
-
No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15
The Hoosiers had their chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and an Ohio State defense that sacked Kurtis Rourke five times.
Cost of Thanksgiving dinner is down but the need in the community is up
Experts say the cost of this year's Thanksgiving dinner is slightly cheaper than previous years. Local organizations say that slight relief isn't enough to reduce the need at this time of the year.
McDonald's to undergo most significant menu overhaul in years
McDonald's is about to undergo a significant menu update as it places more emphasis on its value meals.
How Thanksgiving has become the biggest day of the year for running
Thanksgiving isn't just the most popular day of the year to eat turkey, it is also the biggest day of the year for running. Here is what you need to know if you are running on Thanksgiving.
