LMPD deputy chief urges parents to monitor kids after youth violence surge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville police are seeing a decrease in violent crime as a whole in the city, but more recently, a lot of young people are now becoming involved in homicides and shootings.

LMPD Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said on WDRB Mornings Tuesday that around 45% of shooting victims are under the age of 25.

"We need families," McKinley said. "It starts at home, it starts at school, it starts in the community and the churches to get in front of these kids and try to figure out how to resolve conflict without resorting to violence."

On Monday, a 12-year-old girl was arrested in connection to a double shooting last month in Louisville. The shooting happened in the 1500 block of West Chestnut Street around 5:30 p.m. May 30, where two girls were found shot.

Last week, a 13-year-old girl was also arrested in connection to the shooting. Both girls are charged with two counts of assault.

McKinley stressed the importance of parents knowing what their kids are involved in.

"Go into your kid's room, look through your kid's room, look through your kid's social media," McKinley said. "If they're posting pictures or sharing videos of other kids with guns, that's a huge red flag that we have to get in front of."

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