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Mayor Andre Dickens believes more city park and rec activities could help prevent youth violence

By Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV
By Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — In the past two days, two more teenagers became the victims of gun violence in Metro Atlanta.

A 17-year-old girl was hurt in a shooting in northwest Atlanta, and a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed in Gwinnett County.

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“I come down the steps and by the time I got right there - it was pop pop pop pop - my son fell,” said Harold Travis of his son, Jaeden’s killing.

Jaeden’s parents believe another teenager shot and killed him.

“They’re sending pictures of guns, you know threatening to actually kill him - now y’all killed my baby and it’s gone too far,” said Jaequitta Milerson Jaeden’s mother.

Tuesday’s killing of Jaeden, came just before the 17-year-old girl was injured in a shooting in northwest Atlanta.

“Teen violence is something we’ve got to get a hold of and eliminate,” said Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens.

Channel 2′s Justin Wilfon spoke with Dickens at an after school event, aimed towards improving teens’ mental health and keeping them off the street.

He says more activities through the city’s parks and rec department could help stop the violence.

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“We got to make sure that young people stay alive and thrive in this city – that’s why we do this,” said Dickens. “As we head towards summer weather it’s important that we double down on these programs to keep these kids active.”

The mayor also believes the business community needs to get more involved in solving this problem. He’s calling on businesses to hire more teens for after school and summer jobs.

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