Local Today: Richmond will receive $1.9 million to reduce youth gun violence

Keyla Prince, Local Today

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The City of Richmond has received $1.9 million from the US Department of Justice to help reduce gun violence for its Youth Shape the Future program.

The grant comes just a day later A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a shooting in South Richmond that left a 15-year-old boy fighting for his life.

“Young people and their caregivers need positive development activities and productive learning environments,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “This major investment will expand the reach of our gun violence prevention and intervention framework and promote healthier families and safer communities.”

The strategic plan this grant is designed to fund is informed in part by the forthcoming assessment of the city’s youth and gang violence community, according to a city press release. It will also fund a three-year independent evaluation of the city’s gun violence prevention initiatives, led by VCU’s Survey and Evaluation Research Lab.

The judge is denying the Richmond mayor and police chief’s recent attempt to drop a $5 million wrongful termination lawsuit

“The award of this grant comes at a time when Richmond is grappling with youth and teenage gun violence on an almost weekly basis,” said Samuel Brown, community safety coordinator. “Money is just the start, but improving our programs and gaining more foothold is crucial to attracting our youth. My hope is to educate, train and empower Richmond youth and teens to think critically before making life-changing decisions that none can return from.”

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