Back to Back Shootings Concerns

Two shootings that happened hours apart last Tuesday, March 24, are a big concern for residents in the two neighborhoods, but all over the city of Monroe. The first shooting that occurred in the parking lot of Roy Shelling Elementary School on Elm St. was about an alleged altercation over a female, according to sources. As in so many instances, an alleged fight ensued, and someone produced a gun, and shots were fired. The victim that was engaged in the alleged altercation was shot in the hand and survived his wounds. Kalin Hamilton, the suspected shooter, was arrested and transferred to Ouachita Correctional Center, and as of press time, it is believed that he is still there. This shooting is of great concern because it happened in the parking lot of a school where very young children attend. In addition, there is an apartment complex right across the street from the school where many children live. An even bigger concern is that school is being suspended because of the coronavirus, which means that children are prone to be outside instead of being in their classrooms with their teachers.

The next reported shooting, though not connected law enforcement officials say, continued later Tuesday night in Robinson Place. In that shooting, three people were shot, but as of press time, no arrests have been announced. The community can take comfort in the fact that there wasn't a loss of life in both shootings, but it underscores the concerns of citizens who have heard or witnessed shootings in their neighborhoods in the past. The Monroe Police Department has been engaged in an aggressive effort to rid the community of guns from the criminal element since the beginning of the year. A spokesman for the department said that 39 guns have been taken out of the streets leading to the arrest of those in possession of those firearms. That is a significant relief to the community. The police department is now saying that they will use the governor's orders to limit crowd sizes to 10 people, as officers make their presence more visible. They are also asking citizens to contact them when a large crowd gathers that could lead to a potential confrontation like the one on Elm St. did. Nonetheless, there are those in the community that continue to "preach" to our young people that there is always a better way to handle one's differences. Always. We still have a ways to go.

Photo- Police keeping an eye on violence with police tower