Grove Street Residents Share Concerns of Growing Violence and Hopelessness Following Shootings

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “It’s like hopelessness. We don’t get the proper resources. We don’t get no help. So when you’re coming up out here, it’s like, this is life,” says T. West of Grove Street, Chattanooga.
Days after a gunman opened fire into a neighborhood party and still no suspects, community members are on edge and frustrated officials aren’t doing more to prevent the violence.
“We know the mayor is getting pressure about it which he should. ‘Cuz they’re getting all this money and they ain’t pumping none of it into this community but you’ll all go revitalize everything around it, all these resources around it. But what have we got?” West asks.
As in other recent shootings, the Chattanooga police will not confirm this was a gang shooting.
“They come out with the comment, ‘Oh we ain’t got gangs. We ain’t got no problems.’ But these families around here crying so how we ain’t got no problem,” says West. Seven women were shot Saturday night and two died. Police performed CPR on victims in the street before EMS arrived. One victim is remembered fondly by her teacher. “She was a great girl. She was a natural leader. Smart. Very creative. People followed her wherever she went. She was one of the captains of the dance team at Howard. Once again, just a wonderful girl,” says Joe Banks who taught shooting victim Keniqua Hughes for three years at Howard High School.
A local leader says the solutions are found when the community comes together, not by pointing fingers.
“There needs to be a broader discussion between the mayor, the police department, the religious community, the business community, the community in general. We need to sit down and come up with a strategy,” says Tennessee State Representative District 28 Yusuf Hakeem (D).
The Mayor’s office said shootings are on the rise nationally due to the pandemic and a rise in gun purchases. But Chattanooga has experienced an unusual spike in gun violence this year.
“Well you had mall shootings. You had shootings everywhere else. It’s a whole city thing. But you can be denial. It’s still gonna be rolling,” says West.