Local

Statesville community combating rise in violence

STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Statesville community group, city leaders and the father of a young shooting victim are teaming up to combat a rise in violent crime.

The formation comes two weeks after Bremmel Jones' 9-year-old daughter Shakeya was shot while trying to sleep.

"I basically was overcome with fear, anxiety," Bremmel Jones said. "She was like, ‘I am going to miss you and Pork chop.’ Pork chop is my son, ‘I am going to miss you and Pork chop, papa.’ That hurt me to my heart. I told her, ‘you're not going nowhere.’"

Shakeya Jones was released from a hospital Monday, but is in a sling.

Bremmel Jones is working with city leaders and a group called PACT, an acronym for police and community together.

Their goal is to bring peace back to Statesville after a series of violent incidents in the last few weeks, including at least four shootings in 2018 and one report of shots fired into a local business.

"This community is concerned and with that concern I feel like there is going to be a positive outcome," said Councilmember Doris Allison, who represents the area where Shakeya Jones was shot.

[9-year-old recovering as police Investigate string of Statesville shootings]

The concern is evident. There was standing room only attendance at Monday's council meeting as the police chief asked for more officers. It was Jones' speech that brought the room to tears.

He isn't looking for sympathy. He wants action--- and a safer place to live

"I'm optimistic about everything," he said. "It just takes something to get it started."

And he says there is a "PACT" to see it through.

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City leaders are helping Jones find permanent housing. So far, the community has raised $670 for his family.