Florence Mayor Lethonia Barnes and city council members call for immediate action to curb escalating gun violence in the community during a Thursday news conference. The urgent plea follows a recent string of shootings, including a tragic Mother’s Day incident that left one person dead and six injured at a local bistro, highlighting the need for collective accountability among community leaders and residents.
In her heartfelt address, Mayor Barnes directly appeals to drug dealers and gang leaders to cease the violence, asking them to use their influence for good. Police Chief Allen Heidler emphasizes the troubling trend of recidivism, revealing that a suspect in a recent shooting was out on bond for a previous attempted murder charge. City officials plan to collaborate with the judicial system to address these significant public safety concerns.
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