COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Community advocates are trying to band together as violence escalates in Columbus. On Saturday, they targeted an area close to where police say a young teen robbed and killed a man on the southside only weeks ago.
“There’s a lot of poverty here, a lot of homelessness,” said Candace Hudon, with Hope for the Community, at her annual community fair along Parsons Avenue. “It just brings the community together and it gives people hope.”
The outreach targeting crime, hunger, and addiction took place a few blocks down the road from a deadly shooting on April 29th. Police say a 15-year-old at Reinhard and South Champion Avenues shot and killed a 19-year-old during a robbery.
“I’ve got my grandson here who is 15, and he is helping,” said Hudson. “It humbles him.”
Paul Parker attended the event to say this type of advocacy saved his life.
“I used to be homeless. I used to use drugs and whatnot,” said Parker. “I was ready to kill myself because I didn’t think anyone cared about me.”
Once encouraged by advocates to stay at a warming center, Parker received resources to help him get sober and a job.
During Saturday’s event, more gunfire erupted just miles away at the Fairlane Mobile Home Park off South High Street. Police had not immediately released the identity of the victim but said he may have lived in the trailer near where he was found. Police officers at the scene believed the suspect got away.
Hudson said there is a link between crime and poverty seen in south Columbus, so she is planning more events for the remainder of the year. Representatives with Franklin County Municipal Court, Public Defenders Office, and specialists with addiction and homelessness all participated in Saturday’s event.
