Community activists demand more accountability after deadly Saenger Theatre shooting
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A fun Sunday evening turned into tragedy after gunshots rang out during a children's dance recital.
Mobile Police Department Sgt. John Young also runs a nonprofit organization, Men United Against Violence. The group's objective is to stop young men from continuing the cycle of gun violence.
'This brute beast went to this dance recital knowing children were there,' Young explained. 'He intentionally carried a gun, and he intentionally shot someone in front of those children. That is the issue we're dealing with. This subculture of gun violence involving young Black men in Mobile is the issue.'
Young said he is tired of seeing Black men take the lives of other Black men, and staying silent is not an option.
'What is the value in not saying it?' Young questioned. 'What is the political correctness in not saying 'Black man, stop killing Black man.' And if I, as a Black man, can't say it, who can?'
Stewart Memorial CME Church Pastor Marvin Lue said it's important to keep praying when navigating another act of gun violence in the community.
'When we pray, pray for peace, pray for calm, pray for common sense to step in in these conflict resolution situations,' he elaborated.
Members of his congregation were inside the theater that night and left traumatized.
'They were literally in the crossfire of this senseless act, that it could have been worse than it was, that there is a fear of going outside,' he further explained.
Both Young and Lue agreed that prayer can be part of the solution, but the first step is to hold people accountable.
'We have to have some sense of accountability,' Lue said. 'But it begins with us. It begins with us. I can't be the one throwing rocks and hide my hand.'
'Grow up. Life has been hard for many people for many years,' Young concluded.
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In addition to accountability, Young and Pastor Lue said community leadership and strong family support are key to stopping this cycle.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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