JAVAR JUAREZ

EXECUTIVE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

803-331-8397
1120 Briargate Circle # 21851
Columbia, S.C. 29210

To : Allied Communities
May 7th, 2023

Dear All,

This morning, my conscience impels me to seek assistance in formulating a physical response to the
recent tragedies that occurred in Richland County, South Carolina. On May 1st, 2023, a dozen young
Black men and women were subjected to terror as bullets rained down upon them during a "flash
party" at Meadow Lake Park. Two brothers have been apprehended in connection with the shooting.
Initially, the Richland County Deputies had arrested the brothers for an unrelated shooting near a
KFC on Broad River Road according to RCSD. However, the discovery of gun shells at Meadow Lake
Park and firearms in the suspects' home linked them to the mass shooting. As an ambassador of the
Broad River District, it is impossible for me to remain passive as my community has been linked to
this atrocity. My community has been utilized as a refuge by criminals for their appalling deeds, and,
disgustingly, many of them have been freed by judges shortly after capture. We are being terrorized,
and as a community, we must not stand for it.

The year 2022 marked one of the most violent and bloody periods in our community's history,
particularly for young black men. What pushed me to take action was the tragic death of Demarion
Corbett, a 16-year-old high school student who was shot and killed by 18-year-old Travis Gilmore at
the Riverside Apartment complex in my district. This shooting was one of many in the Broad River
District that left residents feeling scared and vulnerable. To demonstrate unity, strength, and a
commitment to peace, I rallied my community. Hundreds of participants joined me in a march that
began at Lucius Road, where Demarion was killed, and ended at the Right Direction Church, 6.7 miles
away and uphill, passing over interstate 20. Throughout this time, I worked with community partners
and residents, as well as our local small business community, to change the narrative and show
criminals that our community is one that works together to protect our youth. Through this
partnership and engagement with our local sheriffs' department, we saw a significant decrease in
crime.
It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the resurgence of violent criminal activity in our community,
and I strongly believe that we are failing our young people by not taking action against the recent mass
shooting that occurred in our backyard. Instead of intervening and holding our youth accountable, we
have abandoned the traditional approach of involving the community in their upbringing, forgetting
that it takes a village to raise young black individuals. This neglect has resulted in the pain and
confusion we see in the faces of young people like Ty’Quan Kelly, who went on a shooting rampage,
according to Sheriff Lot. We must ask ourselves why this is happening. Is it because the communities in
which these young men and women grow up are lacking in resources, opportunities, and community
support? I believe it is all the above. To prevent such behaviors, we must instill structure and guidance
in our children as a community, instead of leaving them to raise themselves. We must also provide love
and support to parents who are on the brink and who have seemingly given up on their children, as
they too require training to raise their children effectively.

We cannot afford to remain inactive. We cannot stand by and leave the heavy lifting to the Sheriff's
office, as they have warned us time and time again that if we do not come together as a community,
these violent events will persist. The fact that our religious leaders, elected officials, and community
figures at large have remained silent is a condemnation of us all. Do we not hear the news of a mass
shooting in our midst? Are we numb to the incessant sounds of gunshots, sirens, and emergency
vehicles that surround us? We must take action and we must ensure that our children witness a
positive response to such tragedy. We are all affected by the events that occurred at Meadow Lake Park,
starting at an Airbnb in Hopkins, spreading to different locations, and causing chaos throughout
Richland County, leaving many victims still hospitalized. If we do not come together, we are only
inviting more of the same

I invite you to join me and community leaders like Ms. Regina E. Williams in leading the charge to
address the pressing issues in our community. Ms. Williams emphasized the importance of a prayer
service, a resource fair, involving corporations, and supporting our youth and their parents. I strongly
agree with her and aim to make these initiatives happen. Your support is crucial, and I urge those in the
democratic party and the wider community to stand with us in this effort.

Sincerely,

Javar Juarez
Sincerely,