Police Chief Sam Gatchell was among about 50 people who met at Carter & MacRae Elementary School, a block from where Brianna, a student at the school, was shot in the back.

Gatchell spoke briefly about the circumstances of the shooting while others made suggestions aimed at preventing future tragedies in one of the city’s trouble spots for gang activity.

Brianna was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle between rivals gangs Thursday as she walked with her mother in the 400 block of Beaver Street, Gatchell said.

The girl was struck by a single bullet, but Gatchell said several shots were fired.

He said Brianna showed some signs of improvement Monday but was still in “very critical condition.”

“This was a gang clash, and that’s what most of this (violence) has been all about,” he said.

Gatchell also was referring to an incident on Beaver Street that happened just days before Thursday’s shooting.

During that altercation, one person was stabbed three times and another was beaten unconscious with a club. Both individuals were arrested and charged.

No arrests, however, have been made in connection with Thursday’s shooting.

Gatchell said neighbors have been reluctant to divulge information that may further the investigation.

“There is a little bit of (fear),” he said, “and there has also been examples of poor parental guidance.”

Gatchell said several parents have chastised officers for attempting to speak with their children.

One resident who attended the meeting urged neighbors to speak up and to allow their children to do the same.

“Neighbors are fearful,” Vernon Fisher, of the 100 block of Ruby Street said. “But we have to do what’s right and what’s the best thing to do.”

Fisher blamed the gang activity on a lack of strong relationships within the community, particularly between people of different generations.

“We don’t have relationships with young gang members,” he said. “To them, we are too old. We need to have young people sitting at the table with us.”

Ollie Jones, principal at Carter & MacRae, said there is violence on Beaver Street because it’s a transient neighborhood.

“Seventy percent of (current Beaver Street residents) will be moved out by June,” she said.

The Rev. Tom Hyson mediated the meeting.

“This is a transient neighborhood, but we still need to communicate better,” he said. “It’s not as bad as some places, but we don’t want to be as bad.”

Two measures aimed at preventing future violence in the area were discussed.

Dale Witmer, director of the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition, proposed placing cameras in the area.

“The community wants it,” said Witmer, who spoke last week with residents of the neighborhood. “We are considering it, and it is feasible.”

Witmer said cameras will help investigations of incidents like the shooting, when “people feel paralyzed to talk to police.”

Improved lighting on Beaver Street also was discussed. Witmer said there are currently too few lights, and the lights there are too dim.

Witmer also suggested creating a fund to help the wounded girl’s family with expenses. He said Lisa Riggs, director of the James Street Improvement District, called him the day after the shooting with the proposal.

It was unclear who will lead the effort, Witmer said, but “a fund will be set up.”

Mayor Rick Gray spoke at the beginning of the meeting. He feared surveillance cameras may only spur criminals to move to another area of the city.

“The problem doesn’t go away,” he said. “It just moves. We don’t want to move the problem. We need to begin solving the problem.”

He urged the community to come together.

“There are too many different entities,” he said. “We need to get some common sense and unite.”


Brett Hambright’s e-mail address is bhambright@lnpnews.com.