Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln II promised the crowd to support families impacted by gun violence
Violence has intensified in the city of Stockton this month.
Within nine days, six people were shot dead between February 11 and February 19.
Ten people have died in the city so far this year.
Compared to previous years, the current rate of violent crime in the city is worrying. According to Stockton Police, there were 39 murders in 2021 and 56 in 2020.
Hundreds of people gathered in Stockton's Victory Park to pray on the steps of the Hagin Museum on Tuesday night. Community groups organized events to support families affected by gun violence in the city. Many in attendance have lost their loved ones.
Stephanie Hatton told KCRA3 that her nephew was shot Monday night. He said that he is still alive. But it is a pain that is all too familiar to his family.
"For us as humans to take such a carefree and persistent life? No, the city of Stockton. We are better than this," she said. "We will not let these guns dominate our city."
Batriz Barajas said her daughter was shot and killed six years ago at a mechanic's shop on the eve of her 25th birthday. She has left behind two children.
Barajas told KCRA3, "Sometimes when you see on these news [that] there is another family that is going through my pain, it is very painful." "Here together, we'll make a difference."
Both women have converted their pain into action.
Hatton founded Bolda Bridge Inc. to support families affected by gun violence and "redirected" Stockton's use of guns away from education, career, and sport.
He is also the Stockton chapter coordinator of Crime Survivor for Safety and Justice, which focuses on community healing and advocating for policy changes in local governments. To contact him, you can email boldabridgesink@yahoo.com.
After the death of her daughter, Barajas learned English to be a voice for other Hispanic and Latino mothers who had lost children to gun violence.
She founded the Madres Con Angeles group to give those moms-to-be a support system and can be contacted on the linked Facebook page.
On Tuesday night, Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln II led the vigil in prayer.
"No matter where we are as a city, as long as there is one person who has been affected by the violence, we are going to do everything we can to make sure we support those families," he said. Said to the crowd.