Seaport community joins hands to stop gun violence

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Jayce Soto was shooting some hoops Saturday afternoon at the South Street Seaport. She loves a game of basketball, but being on this court had another meaning: Joining the movement to end gun violence.

“We need more of these for the kids, whether they are young or grown, the mentors to come out here and show that there is more than just gun violence,” said Soto.

Mike Tucker is the founder of the organization “Lay the Guns Down Now.” He has dedicated the last 19 years of his life to gun violence prevention after losing his oldest son to it.

“It is too many families affected by gun violence, that’s the point. We have to do everything that we can now, so we don’t have to worry about gun violence tomorrow. I stopped counting because every time I turn around the number is changing,” stated Tucker.

According to NYPD Data, there have been at least 521 shooting incidents so far this year. Even though this number is lower compared to last year, the major concern is that there is a spike in minors carrying illegal guns.    

Bryan Collage says he would rather go home with a trophy than to a hospital bed with a bullet. Or even worse, end up dead. “All these activities bring people together to spread kindness and not kill innocent lives out there,”  said Collage.

Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday, $2 million in expanded programs to keep young people safe during the final weeks of the summer. Diane Rinaldo from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America wants to see more gun violence intervention programs.

“A lot of the groups have reach just in their immediate communities which is something extremely important because they are incredible messengers in their community, but to spread their influence and their work, they do require funding.” Said Rinaldo.

Monica Cassaberry’s mission to prevent future tragedies is also personal. Her son, Jamal Singleton was gunned down in 2011 at the age of 22 in Bedstuy, Brooklyn. He was the father of a boy who was only 2 years old back then.

“One of two things are going happen, you going to be in jail or dead. We also need the parents to chip in too, they have to check the drawers and the bookbags and they have to make sure kids are home when they are supposed to.”