Fort Myers community wants change after 7 shot in one night

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson says he has some ideas on how to help curb the gun violence.

During a gun violence meeting on Wednesday night, some of the hot topics were: a lack of punishment, the number of guns on the street, and the big question–what took us so long to be sitting here?

“More people die prematurely from gun violence in this country than any other communal disease and yet we don’t treat it like a public health issue,” Pastor William Glover said.

Just hours before gunfire erupted in Fort Myers on Wednesday evening, city leaders, law enforcement and the public were in a meeting trying to come up with a plan to stop the violent crime.

“They are going to have to go out individually and build a relationship with the people, and if you don’t have a relationship with anyone, no one will trust you,” Eric Walker said.

Little did they know that as the sun set, seven people would be shot in four different shootings.

“I mean it’s just another reason for us to be on the wall for prayer, because I mean this is not just some situation that is just going to go away,” Pastor Gregory Ford said.

Now the big question is–what plan did they come up with to stop the gun violence?

“I’m ready to have that conversation, I’ve got some ideas that I want to share with council,” Mayor Henderson said.

Jerome Hilliard says his 17-year-old niece is one of the victims. He also said a few weeks ago, his girlfriend’s son was killed in a shooting at the Sunrise Towers. Now fed up over the constant shootings, he wants to see a change.

“Stop; that’s all you can do. What are you doing it for? You know, what are you doing it for?” Hilliard asked.