Philadelphia exceeds 400 homicides for 2021. “My heart is broken and outraged,” says Mayor Jim Kenney

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – The city of Philadelphia has taken a grim milestone as more than 400 lives have been killed in gun violence.

Since Saturday 6.30 p.m., four people have died and 10 others have been injured in the armed violence.

One of the city’s latest shootings left one dead and two injured on Hancock and Lippincott streets around 5:11 a.m. Sunday.

A 31-year-old woman was shot in the chest and later died in hospital.

The shooting also seriously injured a 39-year-old woman, while a 37-year-old man is expected to survive his injuries.

“I am heartbroken and outraged that we have lost over 400 Philadelphians to preventable violence this year. My hearts go out to all families in immense grief. Our administration continues to act urgently to reduce the violence. and save lives, ”Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement Sunday morning.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a statement she was “devastated by the rising homicide rate”.

“Our department continues to make a record number of firearms confiscations and a record number of arrests of individuals in their possession. However, this is not enough. We will continue to work with our partners responsible for community and law enforcement to bring justice to those who seek to harm our beautiful city and its people, ”added Outlaw.

Residents of the city are fed up as the homicide rate continues to rise.

“This hole never goes away,” said Patricia Griffin of Lawncrest.

Patricia Griffin wears a necklace from her son Darien Griffin, shot dead in 2003 in Philadelphia. She says seeing the rising homicide rate this year only adds to her endless pain.

“It is very disturbing, without a doubt,” said State Representative Stephen Kinsey of the 21st Legislative District.

Local leaders joined hundreds of people in Vernon Park on Saturday to remember the homicide victims and discuss ways to prevent more killings.

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“It won’t end overnight,” Kinsey said.

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Organizations like Emir Healing Center focus on treating trauma caused by gun violence. They are asking the city for more funding.

“We will not come out of violence if we do not change the way we are not poor and respond to the needs of our people,” said founder Chantay Love of the Emir Healing Center.

City councilor Cindy Bass, who represents the 8th arrondissement, said: “It’s out of control.”

Bass says she is looking for long and short term solutions.

“Stop the bleeding, put cops on the ground now, get more money and resources than we’re spending now. Put more of our budget than we’re spending now,” Bass said.

Council member Kenyatta Johnson spoke about personal responsibility.

“We’re all going to have to get the upper hand. We have to do better as a city at the end of the day,” Johnson said.

Griffin wants to see some action in the City of Brotherly Love so that no other mother has to bury her child due to a fatal shooting.

“We’re talking about ‘There has to be programs, there has to be this, there has to be that.’ We have to start believing that people’s lives matter, no one has the right to take a life, ”Griffin said.

Griffin also spoke about ending the no-spy mentality to get dangerous people off the streets. Advice to the police may remain anonymous.