Local leaders in Fort Lauderdale renewed their calls for the public's help in solving a recent spate of fatal shootings in the city.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick held a news conference at Lincoln Park Wednesday to discuss the shootings in the city's northwestern section.
"If you know something, say something," Trantalis said. "We need your help to solve these crimes and bring peace to our streets."
Trantalis and Cherfilus-McCormick spoke of the July 21 shooting that claimed the life of 3-year-old Rylo Yancy.
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Yancy had been attending another child's birthday party at Riverland Park when the drive-by shooting unfolded. He was hit by the gunfire and died from his injuries.
“I just want you to guys to turn yourself in," said the child's grandfather, Jerrold Pough. "It’s been a month and a half and it’s been a burden on me, my wife and my family.”
The shooting was one of several in recent months in the city.
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On July 8, a drive-by shooting left a man and woman dead and a 2-year-old and two other people injured. The shocking crime was caught on surveillance video.
Last month, a triple shooting left 18-year-old Marion Harrison dead.
Two weeks ago, a drive-by shooting killed 28-year-old Tiarra Holliday and 45-year-old Sheldon Lawrence.
“We need to be about the business of safety in our own community," said Marsha A. Ellison, the president of the NAACP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch. "We understand this isn’t just a FTL problem, but we live and work here and we are concerned about our residents.”
Trantalis said the city has revamped the police department's Gun Intelligence Unit to respond to the violence.
