NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville murder rates appear to be on the rise. So far in 2015, 40 people have been killed in Music City. Last year, a total of 41 people were murdered. But those numbers are much lower than 2012’s murder rate of 61 people.
The victims are also getting younger. In 2014, only two victims were less than 18-years-old. So far this year, that number has more than tripled to 7 young victims.
Back in 2012, 17-year-old Antwand Covington was killed as he was on his way to a “Sweet 16” birthday party. Two men are now in prison for his murder. Turns out, the two were close friends with Convington.
In the wake of her son’s death, Talia Monget Simmons has made her personal mission to try to put a stop to the violence.
“We can't keep looking at this,” she said. “We can't keep going through this. We can't keep allowing our community to go through this, so we need to do something.”
Earlier this year, violence struck to close the Pastor Marcus Campbell’s congregation.
Kenny Hatcher, another young victim, was shot and killed in Vine Hill. Pastor Campbell has already spent countless hours working with the Nashville community.
For him, the solution does not lie with more officers on the streets, but more cooperation between neighborhoods.
“It's going to take people in the community to stand up and say, ‘Look I can't deal with this anymore. We aren't going to allow this in our community. We want a better community for our kids,’” the Pastor said.
At last check, half of Nashville’s murders are still unsolved. If you have any information about those crimes, you’re urged to contact Crimestoppers at 615-74-CRIME.
