Deadly teen violence on rise locally

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Hampton Roads leaders are working to combat the growing trend of deadly violence among teenagers and they say everyone should get involved.

An 18-year-old is the latest victim of gun violence in Hampton Roads. Someone shot and killed Malik Lewis Tuesday night on Arbor Court, near J. Clyde Morris Boulevard in Newport News. He is the third teen gunned down locally in less than two weeks.

"It's crazy, all these killings," said Norfolk resident Derrick Howell.

"These are good kids. These are kids that have goals and dreams and aspirations," said Norfolk Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot . "There is a problem, not just in Norfolk, but in Hampton Roads as a whole."

"Who's giving them a gun or who are they hanging with that have guns?" asked Kristi Downey of Norfolk.

Violence took the lives of teenagers from nearly every city in Hampton Roads this year. In the last week, families had to bury three more teens. Burfoot has had enough and says everyone must get involved.

"If we do nothing about it, it's just a matter of time before it ends up on your front door," Bufoot said.

To stop these tragic crimes, Burfoot suggests targeting specific problem areas using a collective approach, all resources working together.

"Human services, social services, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, our police department," he said.

The police department is a big focus for Burfoot in battling this trend.

"We have to allow our police department to police these communities without fear that they're going to lose their job because they're doing their job," Burfoot said.

Another major focus for Burfoot is parenting.

"It all starts at home and we've got to hold parents accountable," Burfoot said. "These kids have no respect and we all know that respect is learned at home early on."

Howell agrees that parenting plays a huge issue.

"The parents, that's number one. Like my mama, how she raised me, that would have never happened," said Howell.

In Newport News, police officers want to make sure it doesn't happen anymore in their city. Lt. Michael Hudgins listed off programs young people can get involved with in hopes of curbing violence.

" Virginia Rules Program , Youth Leadership Camp, Citizen Police Academy for Youth , Field of Friends ," Hudgins said. "Try to give them good, positive role models, give them good positive leadership."

It's all the beginning of something much bigger, something to make sure another young face is not added to a collage of tragedy.

"We've got a lot of work to do, but I'm very optimistic that we can get it done," said Burfoot.

Burfoot tells WAVY.com he will speak with the City Manager at the next council meeting to find out what strategies he's put in place to begin combating these crimes.

He says he plans to keep this youth violence issue in the forefront of all meetings and discussions.