NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It's a problem that only seems to be getting worse.
Already this year, at least 13 kids have been shot and killed in Nashville. On top of rising youth homicide numbers, law enforcement agencies have also responded to a number of accidental shootings.
It's a scene happening too often around Metro Nashville — police responding to a shooting involving a young person.
"It's a problem. It's an epidemic," You Have The Power CEO, Cathy Gurley, told News 2. "It's a health problem for the community."
Gurley's organization works with crime victims and their families.
"I think our children see the crime happening and it becomes part of the norm," Gurley said. "Like, 'Oh, it's Tuesday and there were five people were shot. What's for dinner?'"
One case that stood out in Gurley's mind was a deadly shooting at Red Caboose Park in Bellevue. A 13-year-old boy was killed during a fight there in May.
"We need to find out: why do children feel like they need to arm themselves?" Gurley said. "Why are they feeling so unsafe?"
She added that there were so many others, including when an 8-year-old found a loaded shotgun and accidently shot himself on Saturday. He later died at a hospital.
There's a Children's Memory Garden at Centennial Park. Gurley said that every child memorialized there died from gun violence this year. Her organization has a walk on October 12 to support their cause. To learn more, follow this link.
