News

May 2023

Columbus investing in youth summer programming to combat teen gun violence

May 4th, 2023 | By Anna Hoffman

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther is planning historic investments in youth programming this summer as more central Ohio teens have been impacted by gun violence.

Authorities found a 15-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound on E. 20th Avenue in South Linden on Thursday morning. Nearly 50 minutes later in the Hilltop neighborhood, police found a 19-year-old also suffering from a gunshot wound.

The victims are expected to survive and police are beginning to investigate both incidents. Ginther said it is upsetting to hear new of more teens who have been impacted by gun violence.

“It pains me to think of young people being victims of and perpetrators of violent crime,” said Ginther. “I’m a big believer in curfews. There’s a curfew at my house and I need folks to put a curfew in place in their homes too. Know who your kids are with, know where they are.”

Columbus police said four teens have been victims of homicides so far this year, and six teens are homicide suspects.

“We all have a role to play. One, violence crime, one homicide is too many,” said Ginther.

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