Orange Mound residents say it’s time to ‘take their neighborhood back’
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As the Orange Mound community recovers from a mass shooting over the weekend, one local organization says it’s time for residents to take back their neighborhood.
Just days before the shooting at Orange Mound Park that left two people dead, Guns Down Orange Mound gave the park an overhaul.
They painted over the blue play equipment and made it orange for ‘Orange Mound,’ installed a splash pad, repainted the basketball courts, and replaced the netting on the hoops.
Warren Banner, a volunteer with the organization, admitted that seeing it in disarray was painful.
“I’m hurt, sad but most of all, this is a good park everybody comes to,” Banner said.
Those who were at or near the park when the shots rang out on Saturday night said it’s something they will never forget.
“There was a young lady lying there with a bullet in her neck,” a woman said. “It was traumatizing.”
The woman, who was afraid to be identified, said she saw multiple shooting victims when she walked outside moments after the gunfire stopped.
According to police, nine people were shot that night. Chalmar Fason, 22, and Antonio Humphrey, 17, tragically lost their lives.
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Police say that the other seven victims are in stable condition.
Sad about how the violence has impacted her community, the woman said people have to unite to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
“We just need to get together and try and protect our neighborhood,” the woman said. “I don’t know how they’re going to do that without the Mayor’s help and the police help.”
Banner echoed her sentiments and told WREG that Guns Down Orange Mound is still dedicated to helping their community and making the park a bright spot for families.
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“It’s always gone be a safe haven to come to,” Banner said. “We gone have to pray to God, put it into God’s hands for our safety to come back to our park.”
However, in addition to praying, he said his organization and others in Memphis must take action.
“It’s time for our organizations to come together and claim our neighborhood back,” Banner said.
Guns Down Orange Mound is putting together a community event, which will be announced at a later time.
MPD says the investigation is still active and asks that you call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH if you have any information.
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