MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A harrowing incident unfolded on Sunday during a father's outing with his young son when gunfire erupted near Eastern Boulevard in the city of Montgomery. Roosevelt “Yunro” Williams, a community advocate and hip-hop artist who runs The Street Life nonprofit organization aimed at mentoring youth and combating gun violence, was running errands with his 7-year-old son over Father’s Day weekend.
Williams described how he immediately shielded his child from danger when shots were fired nearby. "I threw my truck in park and I jumped across the back seat and I’m shielding him," Williams recounted to WSFA. He added that once the shooting ceased, he observed people fleeing the area with firearms visible. Two victims were hospitalized following the incident, while one person died at the scene.
Montgomery police confirmed a total of three individuals were injured or killed as a result of this violent episode: two taken to local hospitals and another who succumbed to their injuries on site. A second victim was later discovered near Carmichael Road, bringing the death toll to two in connection with these shootings.
Williams emphasized the need for greater community involvement from churches and faith-based organizations within high-risk areas to address gun violence effectively. "There’s no reason why we should have churches inside of some of these hot communities and they’re not involved with some of these young people," Williams stated, urging parents to be more engaged in their children's lives.
The Office of Violence Prevention acknowledged the ongoing challenge posed by gun violence but noted a slight decrease in overall violent crime rates compared to previous years. They encouraged community members interested in participating in prevention programs to reach out for further information and support.
This incident highlights the continued struggle against gun-related crimes in Montgomery, underscoring calls for increased vigilance and proactive measures from all sectors of society.