LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a span of three days, at least four people have died in Louisville and five more have been injured in various shootings. One of them is a young father who was gunned down on his way home from visiting his newborn twins in the hospital.
Tyrese Garvin, 20, was shot on the evening of June 23 and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. His family says they have no hope for his recovery and they're planning his funeral. Two of Garvin’s grandmothers spoke to the media on Thursday, hours after learning that their grandson would most likely not survive.
“Stop, stop the violence. Find something else to do. Don't kill anyone else, don't kill an innocent person…” said Clea Tragarvin.
“This is just so senseless, we need to come together and find out what's going on for real, because Louisville is in a war,” Kathleen Robins said.
Their passionate pleas were echoed by the Louisville Metro Police Department. Lieutenant Emily McKinley with the LMPD Homicide Unit said that the shootings were becoming too much for even the department to handle.
“I'm here today to plead for your help. Our officers, detectives, and community members have been overwhelmed with the violence that has occurred in the last few weeks,” Lt. McKinley said. She attributed the recent crime spree to stolen cars and unsecured weapons. Many of the recent shootings in the city appear to be drive-by shootings.
As police try to solve these cases, families like Garvin's are calling for an end to all the violence.
“I know their families are suffering, we're all suffering. But we just ask God and people to keep us in their prayers,” Gail, a member of Garvin’s family said.
Police have arrested three teens, all between 14 and 17, in connection to the shooting of this young father. The family has set up a GoFundMe account to cover the costs for Tyrese's funeral expenses.
Garvin was taken off life support on Friday, June 28, and was pronounced dead.
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