‘My heart is broken for these families’ Mayor Dickens addresses gun violence

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has addressed the recent increase in gun violence that has plagued the metro Atlanta area. During the past 24 hours, multiple people were killed and others were injured in several shootings. One shooting claimed the lives of two teenagers and injured three others in southwest Atlanta on Saturday.

Atlanta police officials confirmed 14-year-old male identified as Malik Grover of Fayetteville and a 16-year-old male identified as Justin Powell of Atlanta were killed at Continental Colony Parkway SW on Saturday afternoon. This follows another fatal shooting investigation in southwest Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. Police say a man was shot and killed near Amal Drive SW and Giben Road SW around 5:23 p.m.

Atlanta News First spoke with Malik Grover’s family on Sunday. They asked for prayers during this difficult time. “Just give us time to grieve and just keep us in your prayers. Keep the family in your prayers.”

One person was shot and killed near a Downtown Atlanta hotel on Sunday, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Atlanta police confirmed to Atlanta News First that a man was shot around 3 a.m. outside Club Opium on Spring Street.

“Yesterday, I sat with young men for a discussion on ending violence and creating opportunity in our community,” said Mayor Dickens. “Earlier this week, I was inspired to stand along with Atlanta Public School students rallying against violence. These young people have a clear message: enough is enough. It’s time to end this epidemic of gun violence that is taking our young people’s lives.”

Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton responded to the gun violence in a press conference on Saturday evening.

“Atlanta is a group project. It takes every single one of us to counter this plague in our community,” said mayor Dickens. “From City government to our police, to our schools, to clergy, to parents, and to young people themselves, we must pledge not to accept this violence as normal and do all that we can to end it.”