A quiet day at a Raleigh park was interrupted by gunfire last week, sending children at the playground running for cover. Security camera footage caught the incident on video, showing the terror at Junious Sorrell Park on Thursday (January 21).
Multiple shots were fired from a passing car late Thursday afternoon, WRAL reports. While no one was hit at the playground the impact of the gunfire was immediate. Video shows one child quickly dropped to the ground and two others stuck together as they backed away.
While residents say hearing gunfire is not new, they hoped that gentrification efforts would help decrease crime in the area.
"I think it's terrible that the kids can't play," said Andreadese Mack-Hicks. Mack-Hicks grew up in the neighborhood, so she has seen how it has changed over the years. "I'm glad that my kids are grown because I don't have to worry about them, but I do have a grandson. He's 5 months, but in a minute he's going to want to go down to the park, and I'm scared. See what I'm saying? I'm scared. It's dangerous."
Seth Friedman is the chief executive of Passage Home, a nonprofit organization focused on efforts of breaking the cycle of poverty. He called footage of the park incident "heartbreaking," and said the group will continue to work with the community, city, and police to make the area safer for all.
"It is imperative that we address the current situation and keep the community safe," he said, "while also examining how we as a society failed these young kids to make them believe this is their best path."
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