Hope Center vows to continue mission after shots fired outside event
A 14-year-old girl is grazed by a bullet during a violence prevention event. Omaha police said someone in a white sedan fired into the crowd, prompting security guards to return fire. The Hope Center for Kids said it is committed to supporting all young people involved. , they say “seeking help”. But the executive director said they were a safe haven for the community and this shooting would not change that. “We do something called junior VBA, which ironically is a violence prevention program,” executive director Dejuan Reddick said. Reddick said hundreds of people were inside the Hope Center for high school community league basketball games. a fight inside while civil security escorted people. That’s when they said a passenger in a car driving by opened fire. “Security personnel eventually responded in a professional manner trying to keep everyone safe, clearing the building if necessary until shots were fired. And then once those shots were fired. fired, they did whatever they felt was necessary,” Reddick said. “We are a safe place to be regardless of what incident happened,” Reddick said. The Hope Center said its mission has always been about improving the community and preventing violence. This incident will not define them, only make them work harder.” Providing additional opportunities for troubled youth who are having problems in the community, be it violence gangs, who need more education, that’s ultimately why we’re here,” Reddick Security Company first said she would speak about the incident, then said she wouldn’t. able to do so on the advice of his lawyer. Omaha police said the investigation is ongoing, including charges against anyone involved.
A 14-year-old girl is grazed by a bullet during a violence prevention event.
Omaha police said someone in a white sedan fired into the crowd, prompting security guards to return fire.
The Hope Center for Kids said it is committed to supporting all young people involved.
The center said it doesn’t know why people came to the center on Tuesday night, they say “looking for help”.
But the executive director said they were a haven for the community and this shooting wouldn’t change that.
Omaha Police counted bullet casings outside the Hope Center for Kids off 20 and Burdette on Tuesday night.
“We do something called junior VBA, which ironically is a violence prevention program,” executive director Dejuan Reddick said.
Reddick said hundreds of people were inside the Hope Center for high school community league basketball games.
Omaha police say a Douglas County deputy broke up a fight inside while emergency preparedness escorted people out.
That’s when they said a passenger in a car driving by opened fire.
“Security staff responded in a professional manner ultimately trying to keep everyone safe, clearing the building if necessary until shots were fired. And then once those shots were fired. were fired, they did whatever they thought necessary,” Reddick said.
Police said the guards returned fire.
They say a 14-year-old girl in the car presented to hospital with a gunshot wound and another 15-year-old girl was also examined. Investigators said the shooter in the car was targeting two 30-somethings. They weren’t touched.
“We’re a safe place regardless of what incident happened,” Reddick said.
The Hope Center said its mission has always been to improve the community and prevent violence. This incident will not define them, only make them work harder.
“Providing additional opportunities for troubled youth who are having issues in the community, whether it’s gang violence, who need more education, is ultimately why we’re here,” Reddick said.
The security company initially said it would speak about the incident, then said it would not be able to do so on the advice of its lawyer.
Omaha police said the investigation is ongoing, including charges against anyone involved.
