LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After just two reported homicides in the first half of February, there have been at least nine people killed in the past week in Louisville.
There were two separate triple shootings in Jefferson County this week, along with a few other fatal shootings.
"This is a public health crisis," said Christopher 2X, executive director of Christopher 2X Game Changers. "Whether you live in the west end of Louisville, out in the east end of Louisville, south central Louisville or deep south Louisville, you can't get away from this activity unfortunately."
Michael Saye Wehdah, 44, a Louisville Metro Corrections officer, was found shot dead in the Russell neighborhood Feb. 16. Wehdah, a Liberian immigrant who gained citizenship in the U.S. in 2022, lived Louisville with his wife and teenage son.
Wehdah was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 2700 block of Cedar Street around 10:30 a.m.
The following day, a man died and a teenager was taken to the hospital after a shooting near Pleasure Ridge Park. The man died at the scene of the shooting in the 6500 block of Hackel Drive, near Lower Hunters Trace.
Later that day, Shively Police responded to a shooting at an apartment complex on Crums Lane. According to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office, 18-year-old Sabrie Johnson, 19-year-old Simeon Watson and 18-year-old Mia Lee all died from the shooting.
"A lot of citizens are saddened by hearing about young individuals either being fatally lost to these issues or being wounded and sent to the hospital where their lives are flipped upside down forever," 2X said.
The next day after the triple homicide, Samuel Thruston, 43, was found shot and killed in the Park Hill neighborhood.
Then on Friday, a deadly shooting outside a driver’s license branch on Dixie Highway left three people dead, shaking the community and raising concerns about public safety. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified the victims Friday night as 29-year-old Raysa Pacios Valdes, 33-year-old Antwanette Chillers and 18-year-old Leslye Harbin Jr.
Some witnesses believe the shooting that happened around noon was targeted.
“I just saw two masked men run up, shoot the guy a couple of times, and then run off,” Jalen Eddings said to WDRB News on Friday.
On Saturday, a man was taken to the hospital after a shooting in the 3300 block of Bardstown Road. He is expected to survive.
Since Feb. 16, there have been nine reported homicides, including four teenage victims.
"Teenagers want hope. They want hope bad. They want encouragement," 2X said. "They want somebody to get in their ear about career-driven goals."
Louisville teenagers participating in the Future Healers program. (Photo courtesy of Christopher 2X Game Changers)
2X and the local nonprofit is working to give teens alternatives to the streets. The Future Healers program was established for children ages 4 to 13 years old as an educational initiative to help youth affected by gun violence.
The program is a partnership between the Game Changers, UofL Hospital's Trauma Institute and students at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. It introduces children to medicine and science as a way to provide opportunity and learning to build upon their future.
But the program also extends to teenagers in Louisville as a way to support them as they grow.
"The magnetic pull of street life is real," 2X said. "Teenagers want hope."
A teenage boy was killed during a double shooting at California Park on Feb. 8, the first reported homicide in the month. There was another homicide the following day, but the city went a full week without a reported homicide before the most recent string of killings.
"We get these moments of calm and hope, and then it gets destroyed by what happened the past week," 2X said.
If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call LMPD's anonymous Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or submit a tip on the anonymous Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.
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