How DeKalb County plans to tackle youth violence in local schools
DeKalb County launches 12-week youth program
DeKalb County leaders launched a targeted 12-week youth violence prevention program shortly before police announced murder charges against an 18-year-old suspect for the Sunday shooting deaths of two young brothers.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County officials announced a new school-based program Wednesday aimed at preventing youth violence, days after a shooting killed two boys and a separate threat was reported at Martin Luther King Jr. High School.
RELATED: Martin Luther King Jr. High locked down over threat Monday
Education to Empowerment
What we know:
County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said the Education to Empowerment Program will run for 12 weeks and serve students in sixth through 12th grades. Officials plan to focus on schools in areas with higher crime.
Cochran-Johnson said the county has worked on the program for about a year. She said Wednesday’s announcement was not prompted by Sunday’s deadly shooting.
What they're saying:
"I stand in dismay of the violence that I see occurring in our communities and also in our schools," DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. "I'm concerned by what I see, but I refuse to accept it as the reality."
School officials emphasized that adults must step up to guide youth. "Our response cannot stop a grief, so today we are reaffirming and recommitting ourselves to action," the DeKalb school superintendent said.
"Laws are essential in accountability matters, but laws alone cannot address the conditions that we see in our communities, particularly associated with violence," Cochran-Johnson said.
DeKalb announces new effort against youth violence
DeKalb County officials announced a new school-based program Wednesday aimed at preventing youth violence, days after a shooting killed two boys and a separate threat was reported at Martin Luther King Jr. High School.
The backstory:
The shooting on North Hairston Road killed 11-year-old Jamarion Rolle and 12-year-old Jakhi Clark. Two women were also injured. Police arrested 18-year-old Julian Ellis, who faces two counts of felony murder and six counts of aggravated assault. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m.
RELATED: Man charged in shooting that killed 2 boys on North Hairston Road