INDIANAPOLIS — Two days after a 15-year-old student was killed in a shooting in the parking lot of KIPP Indy Legacy High School on Indianapolis' near northeast side, a group of mothers gathered near the school Sunday to discuss how to prevent this from happening to more children.
"Today, we come together to say enough is enough. While we bicker over dollars or territory, kids are dying," said DeAndra Dycus, founder of the nonprofit Purpose 4 My Pain.
Many of the women at the event had lost loved ones to gun violence.
In the room, Ashanti Beene had become the woman most recently impacted by gun violence. She said her cousin, Devin Gilbert, was the 15-year-old student killed near KIPP Indy Nov. 3.
"Me and Devin, we laughed and joked on Thursday, and one Friday, he's no longer here," Beene said.
Gilbert's mom told 13News that, “Devin was a sweet loving child that was my sunshine, my heart. He was an awesome big brother to his five younger siblings ... I’m not saying he’s perfect, but he was human.”
She said her son was shot right in front of her at the school and that she still doesn’t know exactly why he was targeted.
Beene said Devin was an average 15-year-old boy.
"His life mattered. He was a happy, funny 15-year-old boy who worked hard," Beene said.
Beene said her heart breaks for all the teens whose lives were cut short because of gun violence.
"It's hurtful to hear that a teenage girl went to a Halloween party, and she was killed. It's hurtful to know that Devin has a number on him now — number 20 — and was killed at school. These are all things that teenagers should be able to do," Beene said.
She said now it's time for mothers to step in.
"I think if we get out as parents and show force, mothers should come together in groups. If there are 10 mothers out there dressed the same, you know all eyes are on you," Beene said.
The 15-year-old boy who allegedly shot Devin was arrested on a preliminary murder charge for his alleged role in the shooting. He's expected to be in court early this week.
On Sunday evening, Devin's family and friends gathered to light candles and release balloons in his honor. All of them are also now victims after the shooting.
"You're not just hurting that person that you're angry with or you have that issue with," Beene said. "You're leaving behind 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 people, family members that are hurt behind that, mothers that are hurt behind that."
