Wilmington Community Works To Find Solution To Curb Gun Violence - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Wilmington Community Works To Find Solution To Curb Gun Violence

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Patrolman Justin Wilkers was shot on Sunday. Patrolman Justin Wilkers was shot on Sunday.

This weekend's shooting of a Wilmington police officer has many in the community demanding solutions to curb the recent gun violence.

Amir Lyle, who was born and raised in Wilmington's west side, says all of his life he's never seen gun violence this bad in the city.

He was one of several who attended a Tuesday night meeting of the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In just the last two days, FOX 29's Dave Kinchen reports there have been two shootings less than three miles from where the Tuesday night meeting was held, including one that left Patrolman Justin Wilkers with a bullet lodged in the back of his skull.

Wilkers was shot by a suspect who he attempted to pull over.

Crimes like these have prompted Wilmington Mayor Dennis P. Williams to push his own anti-gun violence plan.

"We have officers getting out of motor vehicles and confronting people acting suspicious, people standing in front of boarded up buildings at 3 a.m. in the morning. Why are you there?" the mayor said.

Lyle says he just wants to find grassroots solutions.

"If we have more interaction with the community, maybe we can kind of change the mindset of the community."

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