Community members and local activists discuss violence trends in Columbia

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two local groups held a town hall meeting Thursday night to discuss crime in Columbia.

The meeting was a joint collaboration between Destiny of H.O.P.E and P.E.A.C.E non-profit organizations. The meeting was called at the Parkade Plaza following a shooting that left two teenagers dead after an argument lead to gunshots in Boone County.

Several community members and activists spoke about the need to pressure parents to become more involved in their children's lives, citing that the interactions children have, influence the way they act. Executive director of P.E.A.C.E, Julian Jackman and executive director of Destiny of H.O.P.E work with youth throughout Columbia. Jackman said he thinks parents becoming more involved would help him in his work with children.

"I have to know that when i'm working with the children who are in this community that we have support, we have backing... that we have a whole community of parents that say hey I care what happens to my child," Jackman said.

Lockhart also said that community members joining together also plays a crucial role in stopping the violence seen in the area.

"We have to stop looking in so many other places," Lockhart said. "We have to stop looking at CPD and all of these other people and blaming people and we have to step up to the plate and do what we must do."

The Boone County Sheriff's Office said its investigation into the weekend shooting was still active. No one had been taken into custody as of Thursday afternoon.

Lockhart said he believes the sheriff's office is following all of the right steps in their investigation.

"I think they should do their job and if it takes a while for them to get it, I want you to get it right. I don't want you just to appease the public"