In the city of Chicago, gang violence has taken over 400 lives this year alone. The victims include children as young as six years old. The report called, “Don’t Shoot: I want to grow up,” was done in the town itself, and will be the first in a series of more to come.

The police have seized more than 10,000 illegal guns this year from the gangs of Chicago, and that does not include those of who have yet to be caught. When asked if there is one solution to stop this violence, Gary McCarthy, Chicago Police Superintendent, says “No. There is no way to just stop the flow of firearms into this city. There’s no way to reinvent the family structure that doesn’t exist…”

Grieving mothers are telling their stories to anyone who will listen.

Reporter, Alex Perez, says, “It is the only weapon they have.” Most killings in the city have not been tried in court, seeing as 70% of homicide cases in the city of Chicago remain unsolved.

Diane Aguilar, a mother of a 6-year-old girl whose life was taken from the horrors of gang violence stated, “We need to do something. We need to stop this. We need to show these kids that there are options out there.” It is crucial that the families of Chicago stay safe and off the streets. Our prayers and wishes go out to all who have lost someone near and dear to their hearts.