Latest news with #MemphisAllies
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Memphis Allies hosts conference to tackle crime and gun violence
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Allies hosted its Breakthrough Conference on Tuesday, in which local and national leaders shared ways to combat crime, at a time when Memphis has already seen nearly triple-digit homicides in 2025. At the beginning of April, 22-year-old Matthew Williams was killed in a mass shooting in Southeast Memphis. 1 dead, 5 men injured in Southeast Memphis shooting More specifically, it happened outside the site of Memphis Allies, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing gun violence and homicides. 'Most Memphians know violence has been a problem in our city for a while now, and in recent weeks, we have had an increase in violence, so we are bringing hope to the community,' said Susan Deason, Executive Director of Memphis Allies. Deason says that hope looks like this: local leaders, community groups, and many more joining forces. 'It's a convening of organizations who are out there on the streets getting the work done to save lives,' she said. It's a push that's needed now more than ever. Already this year, detectives have been tasked with investigating 97 homicides since January 1. One of them was Williams, who was killed, with five others hurt, in a mass shooting outside the Memphis Allies headquarters. CrimeStoppers offers $25K for info on shooting at anti-gun violence meeting 'We don't let the circumstances push us away from the mission because there are a whole lot of people out there who will never know our names, and we are in here fighting for them,' said Mayor Young. 'We are trying to turn a very, very, very big ship,' Young said. 'A ship that's been navigating turbulent waters for years. But this conference is focused on igniting hope in this community, in order to inspire action.' This two-day conference will undoubtedly be jam-packed, organizers say, for those willing to carry the load and for those willing to have difficult discussions, in order to get things on a more positive path. 'I want the next two days to be about some real talk. I want us to have real conversations, because it's real out there,' said Young. This is the third year for the Breakthrough conference, with an estimated 400 to 500 attendees expected to participate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
CrimeStoppers offers $25K for info on shooting at anti-gun violence meeting
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — CrimeStoppers is now offering up to $25,000 to anyone with information that could help identify suspects involved in a mass shooting that left one person dead and five others injured. The mass shooting took place outside a gun violence prevention meeting held by a non-profit organization, the Memphis Allies program of Youth Villages, on April 9. 1 dead, 5 men injured in Southeast Memphis shooting In 2022, Youth Villages, along with community partners, launched the Memphis Allies initiative in response to the city's escalating gun violence. Police say one man was taken to the hospital in critical condition and four others were taken in non-critical condition. One man was found dead on the scene. He was identified as Matthew Williams, 22. Nonprofit CEO calls on parents to help reduce youth violence After receiving money from more donors, CrimeStoppers says they will now provide up to $25,000 to anyone with information that will help identify one or more suspects in the deadly shooting. That amount will be paid to the person who provides a successful tip leading to a warrant and/or an arrest in the case. 'I am sure someone knows something that could lead to an arrest in this murder,' said David Wayne Brown, executive director of CrimeStoppers. 'It could be someone who saw something that could help investigators, or someone who has learned something since the shooting.' If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. All calls and text messages are strictly anonymous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nonprofit CEO calls on parents to help reduce youth violence
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Wednesday marks a week since a deadly mass shooting happened at a building for Memphis Allies, an anti-gun violence nonprofit. 22-year-old Matthew Williams was killed and five other men were injured. So far, there have not been any arrests. WREG spoke with the founder and CEO of a local nonprofit with a similar mission as Memphis Allies. He said this shooting is a part of a bigger issue. LaDell Beamon, who founded the Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis said adults and parents are needed to help reduce youth violence. On Apr. 9, a drive-by shooting at Memphis Allies, located on South Mendenhall Road, claimed the life of Matthew Williams. ORIGINAL STORY: 1 dead, 5 men injured in Southeast Memphis shooting In a statement, the organization said Williams was turning his life around and recently joined its SWITCH program, also known as, 'Support with Intention to Create Hope.' Beamon said he was disturbed when he heard about the deadly shooting. 'It's very unfortunate,' Beamon said. 'It's actually kind of like a slap in the face to me because you know, there's so many people that want an opportunity to get out and then there are people that are standing in the way of it.' Similar to Memphis Allies, Beamon's organization's mission is to create positive outlets for the city's youth. However, he told Your News Leader, that mission does come with challenges. 'Any city that builds with children in mind will win,' Beamon said. 'And so, there's a real large gap in between having to meet the needs of the young people that we're serving and having the resources and the real places to be able to reach those kids.' Building for anti-gun violence nonprofit becomes site of mass shooting Beamon said the deadly shooting at Memphis Allies proves that more work needs to be done. 'It's gonna be important this summer to make sure that we're guarding the ear gates of kids, making sure that the right messages are in front of the kids at all times,' Beamon said. 'And then having the right opportunities to fill that leftover space where kids are not being occupied and satisfied in that arena.' Despite the gun violence that occurred last week, Memphis Allies said it's dedicated to its mission, which includes preventing gun violence and saving the next generation. Memphis Police are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in Matthew Williams' deadly shooting. The victim's family has also set up a GoFundMe for his funeral expenses. If you would like to donate, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
