Stop Gun Violence initiative sees FCPD visiting with citizens

Residents asked to work with police in effort to reduce criminal activity

The Forrest City Police Department today is participating in the National Stop Gun Violence initiative.

FCPD Chief Deon Lee said that instead of their normal uniforms, many officers today are wearing T-shirts bearing the Stop Gun Violence emblem as they walk through local neighborhoods to visit with residents.

Lee said officers will spend the day knocking on doors and talking to residents in various neighborhoods in an effort to build a better working relationship between the department and the community.

He said officers are focusing on neighborhoods that have been plagued by gun violence.

Participation in the initiative comes on the heels of another shooting that occurred Thursday night in Forrest City in which a woman riding in a car with friends was shot near Day Street.

Lee said he is “deeply concerned about the uptick in crime involving guns in our city.

“We would also like to educate our young citizens about shooting guns in populated areas,” Lee continued. “Bullets fired in the air still have the lethal ability to cause fatal injuries to innocent young children. Bullets do not have names, and it is commonly reported in many areas where bullets have struck unintended targets, such as innocent individuals out enjoying their daily activities. In many of these cases, fatalities have been reported. Please be mindful of our youth in this city and put down your guns.”

According to a report on file at the FCPD, the suspect in Thursday night’s shooting is a 17-year-old.

Officers reported Ashley Kelly, 32, was struck by gunfire about 6:50 p.m., following an argument inside a vehicle in which she was a passenger. Police said Kelly was riding in the back seat of the vehicle when the driver stopped and picked up the teenager. The driver and his girlfriend reportedly began arguing, which upset the teen who allegedly threatened to shoot them. When the teenager got out of the vehicle near the Rosser and Day streets intersection, he allegedly began shooting at the car, running behind it and firing shots as the driver fled the scene.

One of the bullets struck Kelly, who was driven to Forrest City Medical Center for treatment. According to the report, she suffered a gunshot wound to her left buttocks and thigh.

Officers recovered five, 40caliber shell casings in the area of Day and Wilson streets, according to the report.

Lee said one reason officers will be visiting neighborhoods today is to encourage local residents to help them combat these incidents of violence in the community.

“We ask anyone who witnesses gun violence to please report it to your local authorities,” said Lee. “Today, we’ll be leaving our cards with residents and encouraging them to call the police when they see or hear things taking place.”