COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several shootings over the weekend left three people dead, including a 13-year-old, as well as several others injured.
Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) member Brenda Johnson said the organization is continuing to work with young people in the community to help put a stop to the continued violence.
"It's out of control and we need to do something with our youth,” Johnson said.
As a mother whose son was killed by gun violence, Johnson said she works hard to educate her grandchildren as a way to protect them.
“I'm always afraid maybe they'll befriend the wrong people and follow the wrong path so I'm very open with them about what's going on in the world, especially in Columbus with our youth killing each other,” Johnson said.
Columbus police said three shootings happened between late Friday night and early Saturday morning. Several juveniles were also injured in these shootings, leaving four children shot and one killed within about 48 hours.
“We need to stop letting them go out there and act like adults and hang out by themselves in groups because it's not safe on our streets anymore,” Johnson said.
At 143 homicides so far this year, 2023 will be at least the third deadliest year in the city's history.
In all of last year there were 140, and the record 205, in 2021. The city hasn't had fewer than 100 since 2019.
MOMCC is now launching a new effort called “Under Triple Digits.” Its goal is to keep the number of homicides in the city under 100 next year.
Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, founder of MOMCC, said they’re planning to use the data from Columbus police and other organizations to see what’s working and what needs improvement.
“We want to make sure we are reaching the correct demographic that it's going to have an impact in the right direction to reduce crime, reduce homicides,” Thomas-St. Clair said.
It's an effort that not only helps the kids they meet but its knowledge they can then pass on to their friends as well.
“I try to help them, I try to calm them down, I try to remove them from the situation before it can get worse,” said Avaria Clayborn, a member of the MOMCC youth division.