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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
March 29, 2019<\/em> As the director of Safe Horizon\u2019s Brooklyn Community Programs, I work regularly with families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. As I watched the video of Tyquan Eversley<\/a> running for his life, hiding behind a car and being shot five times, I thought of them. And I thought of the many parts of trauma and violence that too often go underreported following these kinds of tragedies.<\/p>\n The tendrils of pain following Tyquan\u2019s death will stretch far. The neighborhood\u2019s sense of safety is shaken. Anyone who recognizes that block will think of violence the next time they walk down it. The owners of the backyard where Tyquan fled, and anyone who stepped foot in it, will wonder where they can go to be safe. And everyone who lives there will know their community is not the same as it was the day before. And for communities that regularly see violence, these effects are amplified.<\/p>\n That means not calling an innocent victim and noting a prior arrest history in the same breath. That means recognizing the victim as an individual, sharing their talents, strengths, likes, and dreams, and not just their tragedy. Every victim and those who loved them deserve respect and dignity.<\/p>\n Following this kind of tragedy, any family would need help. We help families apply for funds for burial costs. We accompany families to court proceedings. We act as an advocate with the medical examiner\u2019s office, the district attorney\u2019s office, and the police department. And we help victims<\/a> connect to counseling and to others who can share and help them manage their grief. We know every path to healing looks different, and we stay with families as long as they need us.<\/p>\n In my work with Safe Horizon\u2019s homicide program, I\u2019ve sadly supported thousands of families who have lost loved ones. My hope is that someday, we will live in a city where families no longer need my help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Safe Horizon\u2019s Kimmi Herring, who has worked with the families of hundreds of homicide victims, talks about how we can do better by those families and their communities. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":6913,"alt_text":"3 Things We Can Learn From The Murder of Tyquan Eversley","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":794,"height":1123,"file":"2019\/04\/3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley.png","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-150x150.png","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-150x150.png"},"medium":{"file":"3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-212x300.png","width":212,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-212x300.png"},"medium_large":{"file":"3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-768x1086.png","width":768,"height":1086,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-768x1086.png"},"large":{"file":"3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-724x1024.png","width":724,"height":1024,"mime-type":"image\/png","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley-724x1024.png"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":6911,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/3-Things-We-Can-Learn-From-The-Murder-of-Tyquan-Eversley.png"},"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2013],"tags":[397,1251,767,1249],"class_list":["post-6911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-statements-and-press-releases","tag-families-of-homicide-victims","tag-gang-violence","tag-homicide","tag-tyquan-eversley","issue-victims-of-other-abuse"],"acf":{"page_header_title":"","page_header_excerpt":"","page_header_image":false,"custom_scripts":false,"show_author_bio":true,"original_url":"","related_initiative_title":"How do we help family members of homicide victims?","related_initiative_link":"\/get-help\/victims-of-other-abuse\/","related_initiative_link_text":"Learn about our services","featured_posts":[{"ID":6363,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2018-10-05 20:50:33","post_date_gmt":"2018-10-05 20:50:33","post_content":"
\nBy Kimmi Herring<\/em><\/p>\n1. These Tragedies Traumatize Entire Communities<\/h1>\n
2. Support Without Judgment Can Help This Family, And This Community, Move Forward<\/h1>\n
3. Safe Horizon Can Help Families on Their Journey Toward Healing<\/h1>\n
![\"4](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/4-Things-You-Can-Do-to-Reduce-Gun-Violence_Gun-Violence-Panel-1024x689.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nOctober 5, 2018<\/em>\r\n\r\nEvery day, 96 Americans are killed with guns, and hundreds more are shot and injured, according to Everytown for Gun Violence.<\/a><\/u>\u00a0At Safe Horizon, we support survivors of gun violence and families of homicide victims every day. We recently convened a panel of experts to discuss the gun violence epidemic, and what we can do about it. Here are four key takeaways from the discussion, and four ways you can take action, today!\r\nWhat You Need to Know About Gun Violence<\/h1>\r\n1. The Issue of Gun Violence is so Much More Complex That What We See in the News<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u201cMass shootings are just a small part of the issue of gun violence, but also the most publicized.\u201d Eric Tirschwell, Everytown for Gun Safety.<\/em>\r\n\r\nGun violence is frequently a symptom of more fundamental injustices, including racism and economic disempowerment. Most gun violence occurs on a much smaller scale than a mass shooting, but it is frequently not random, either. Systemic disinvestment in communities creates environments more conducive to crime, including gun violence. Lack of opportunities and basic resources can lead an individual to do things they wouldn\u2019t otherwise do, to regain a sense of safety and control.\r\n\r\n2. Reducing Gun Violence Involves Thinking Creatively and Compassionately About Resolving Conflict<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAll violence involves conflict, but not all conflict has to involve violence. \u201cPeace does not mean conflict-free. Peace is being able to work through things in ways that don\u2019t endanger you and me.\u201d Tiffany Murray, Save our Streets.<\/em>\r\n\r\n3.\u00a0Race is a Critical Factor in the Way We Do - Or Don't - Understand Who Feels the Impact of Gun Violence, and How<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn remembering white victims of gun violence, news reports tend to highlight their achievements, their best qualities, and their lost potential. For many victims who are people of color, the news presents a very different narrative. Individually and systemically, their deaths are minimized or even justified by judgments about their decisions or lifestyle, and the result is a dismissal of their humanity. Representation matters and every life lost to gun violence was a whole person with a complex set of experiences, achievements, flaws, and potential.\r\n\r\n4. There Are Important Parallels Between Gun Violence and Other Forms of Violence<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWomen in abusive relationships are 5 times more likely to be killed if there\u2019s a gun in their home, according to research published in the American Journal of Public Health in July 2003.\u00a0<\/a>The mere presence of a gun can also facilitate crimes like assault, trafficking, and robbery. \u201cA gun doesn\u2019t have to be discharged to do harm.\u201d Kimmi Herring, Safe Horizon<\/em>\r\n
What You Can Do About Gun Violence<\/h1>\r\n1. Connect With Organizations and Communities Who Are Already Working to Address Gun Violence<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s not necessary to reinvent the wheel. Many individuals and groups are making great strides. Connect with them, and work to amplify their message.\r\n\r\n2. Engage on a political level: Campaign! Register! Vote!<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThere are unusually high political and legislative barriers to gun reform, many of which cannot be overcome without responsive representation. Voting is an essential piece of the puzzle.\r\n\r\n3. Build New Relationships, and Start in Your Own Community<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u201cDon\u2019t just speak to the neighbor who speaks to you all the time, speak to the one who doesn\u2019t speak to you. Those are things that change communities and change relationships.\u201d Tiffany Murray, Save Our Streets Bed-Stuy<\/em>\r\n\r\n4. Keep the Conversation Going, Even When You Encounter Barriers<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u201cTalk to your friends. Talk to family members. Talk to people who don\u2019t necessarily agree with you.\u201d Eric Tirschwell, Everytown for Gun Safety<\/em>\r\n
Support for c<\/strong>rime victims and their loved ones is available through our 24\/7 Crime Victims Hotline: 866-689-HELP(4357). <\/strong><\/a><\/h1>\r\n
Our Community Programs<\/a> work to provide ongoing support to survivors of crime and violence. To schedule an appointment, call our Helpline during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) at 855-234-1042<\/a>. <\/strong><\/h1>\r\nThank you to our panelists!<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\nKimmi Herring <\/strong>\r\n\r\nDirector, Brooklyn Community Program, Safe Horizon<\/a><\/u>\r\n\r\nTiffany Murray <\/strong>\r\n\r\nProgram Manager, Save Our Streets Bed-Stuy<\/a><\/u>\r\n\r\nEric Tirschwell <\/strong>\r\n\r\nDirector, Litigation and National Enforcement Policy, Everytown for Gun Safety<\/a><\/u>","post_title":"Four Things You Can Do to Reduce Gun Violence","post_excerpt":"Safe Horizon recently convened a panel of experts to discuss the gun violence epidemic, and what we can do about it. Here are four key takeaways from the discussion, and four ways you can take action, today!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"gun-violence-panel","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-10 13:11:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-10 17:11:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=6363","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"create_custom_authors":true,"authors":[{"author_name":"Kimmi Herring"}],"title_font_size":"42","sub-headline_placement":false},"yoast_head":"\n