5 shot over weekend as Toledo's struggles to limit gun violence continue

Three teenagers were among five people shot over the weekend in the city of Toledo as the city continues to grapple with gun violence, particularly among youths.

Two teens playing basketball outside of Waite High School, boys ages 15 and 17, were wounded about 8 p.m. Saturday when someone drove past the basketball court firing multiple shots. They were taken to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment.

Earlier Saturday, about 3:15 p.m., an 18-year-old was shot near Richards and Amsterdam roads. He was taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

About 7 p.m. Friday, a 32-year-old man was shot in the 900 block of North Huron Street, and just after 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, a 27-year-old man was found with multiple gunshot wounds on the 5300 block of Fleet Road. Both men were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

While Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Police Chief Michael Troendle will announce the second quarter crime statistics Tuesday, Councilman Adam Martinez viewed the weekend’s shootings as part of a concerning trend.

“Summer always seems to be the time when youth violence, and violence in general, kind of spikes,” he said.

Although he discussed possible long-term solutions, like increasing the size of the police force or expanding violence interruption programs, Mr. Martinez admitted that neither he nor the administration, nor any administration in the country, has a proven answer for gun violence.

“Overall it’s a grave concern, not just to myself and other district reps but everyone in our community,” Mr. Martinez said. “We have to get a grip on what is going on, especially when they are younger shooters. One action changes their lives completely, and it’s horrible. I think the administration is doing the best they can, but we have to do more.”

With three teenage victims, the weekend calls attention to the issue of youth gun violence. With students out of school for the summer, the city announced plans earlier this summer to try to keep kids off the streets. However, the mayor’s administration could not be reached for comment.

Beyond government efforts, local organizations like the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers have attempted to stem the tide of violence through educational programs. Earl Mack, who works with the group, felt the effects of gun violence on a personal level when his 10-year-old son was shot and killed in 1982.

Mr. Mack, a veteran and former police officer, highlighted the importance of parents in setting a better example for their children when it comes to gun safety.

“Guns in our American society have become such an acceptable behavior,” he said. “That generates into a child’s psyche that this is a behavior condoned by adults, so why not do the same thing. We have to change that.

“However, adults have got to set the example since children emulate adult behavior. ... As we move forward and we also show the kids what damage firearms can do to another human, they start getting the message.”

The Buffalo Soldiers also attempt to teach conflict resolution. While programs like the city’s violence interrupters initiative, which target gun violence in the East Toledo, Englewood, and Lagrange neighborhoods, can attempt to facilitate de-escalation, they believe that personal accountability is even more important.

Toledo’s new Glass City Metropark lies across the street from Waite High School, where the two boys were shot on Saturday. Although the city has invested significant funds into developing the area, the surrounding neighborhood continues to struggle with crime.

Scott Carpenter, director of public relations for Metroparks Toledo, acknowledged that, while the school is not within its jurisdiction and Metroparks operates separately from city government, the parks work to engage with and improve surrounding communities.

“We see our role as providing clean, safe parks because good use drives out bad use,” Mr. Carpenter said.

He added that the parks have their own security and also partner with local police to ensure that the spaces are as safe as possible and that this generally makes them even safer than their surrounding communities.

“Keeping clean and safe parks is one of the solutions to a variety of social ills, so that’s our main function,” he said.

However, while both community and government led initiatives may have positive effects, the continued prevalence of gun violence suggests that more action is needed.

“I really don’t have an answer,” Mr. Martinez said. “We’ve all fallen flat.”