Nashville community activists and the Tennessee senator are calling for change following the mass shooting on Jefferson Street

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Community groups in Nashville are demanding the city put an end to gun violence.

On Monday afternoon, the group held a press conference to discuss a mass shooting on Jefferson Street and what can be done to prevent people from dying due to gun violence.

Three different activist groups convened what they called “an urgent meeting of community groups.” The groups included a Tennessee state senator and concerned neighbors.

The groups, including Mothers Over Murder and the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network, spent Monday afternoon at Rock United Ministries explaining what they believe can be done to stop the ongoing gun violence.

Surveillance video released from a Jefferson Street store showed dozens of people running for their lives as at least 20 bullets flew into the air Saturday afternoon.

Mandy Brown, clinical mental health counselor with the nonprofit group Nashville Peacemakers, said she was on Jefferson Street when the shots rang out.

“I was having fun and then all of a sudden it was just chaos,” Brown said.

Hundreds of people gathered on Jefferson Street for a homecoming parade that ended hours before the shooting.

“To have fun and then hold a child that isn’t mine,” Brown said. “I need people to understand that as a community, I want this to be a safe place for everyone. A little girl screaming for her mother and I cover her.”

Metro police believe the shooting resulted from two groups of people shooting at each other from opposite sides of Jefferson Street. According to police, five people involved in the shooting were confirmed to have gang affiliations, including the deceased man, 24-year-old Vonquae Johnson.

Two more of the five people were also injured and taken to hospital.

Mothers Over Murder founder Clemmie Greenlee led Monday’s press conference and expressed frustration.

“They all always want to scream, ‘Enough is enough,'” Greenlee said. “It is enough, but it is not enough for you all to keep saying it is enough. You have to do something.”

Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell also shared her thoughts on gun violence.

“We talk about safety all the time, so let’s walk the talk and actually do something about it this session,” Campbell said.

The groups also urged people to vote and invest in organizations that operate in neighborhoods and support communities every day.

Melissa Alvarez of the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network said her organization has been fighting this issue for years and now needs the city’s help.

“We cannot do this work alone,” Alvarez said. “We need help. We need organizations. We need community members. We need our elected officials. At what point does it become a state of emergency for people of color?” said Alvarez.

Greenlee said she was tired of fighting.

“I stand here begging you all and asking you all,” Greenlee said. “This is my last call. If you don’t all fight for me to get money, for me to get a building, [then] Don’t call me about another murder. I’ve been a lawyer for 20 years.”

The groups said the Jefferson Street mass shooting must be the last.

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