Related
"This is a nice block. It doesn’t seem like that should have happened here," said Makeeba McNeely, who lives on North Simpson Street, just a couple of doors down from where Jones was sitting, when a stray bullet from a gunfight struck him on his porch.
"As we talk about Zamar, it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do."
Known in the neighborhood as Mom Keeb, McNeely said the block is family-oriented, but for the families, the shooting changed everything. 13-year-old Zion says she used to love her block but now, "It's weird now. It doesn't feel the same."
"We went to several listening sessions to see what the community needed, whether that was counseling services or trauma care," said G. Lamar Stewart, chief of community engagement for the DA's office. They brought their One Stop Job and Resource Hub to North Simpson Street. During the pandemic, they had been doing virtual events, but realized more was needed.
"We realized not only was the family impacted by that tragic incident, but the community as well," shared Stewart.
"This is not the only time a child was killed around here," said neighbor Lea Hill. "We don't see these folks, unless it hits the news."
Two years ago, 17-year-old Sandrea Williams was found shot on nearby Carlton Street following a triple shooting. Hill wants prevention services, and change.
"We have needs," she said. "We have a town watch we're trying to put together, a clean up we're trying to put together."
Hill wants to ensure there are no more shootings on her block.