Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Uptown Needs 'Community Forum' To Help Curb Violence, Alderman Says

By Adeshina Emmanuel | September 16, 2014 8:59am
 Uptown residents were shaken following a neighborhood shooting Monday.
Uptown residents were shaken following a neighborhood shooting Monday.
View Full Caption
Dnainfo/Adeshina Emmanuel

UPTOWN — In the aftermath of a fatal shooting Monday that left a young man dead in Uptown, Ald. James Cappleman (46th) told residents he's working on getting more police officers in the area — but added that it will take more than that to curb the violence.

Christopher McGhee, 22, was fatally shot Monday morning in the 4500 block of North Magnolia Avenue, authorities said. McGhee, of Uptown, was a known gang member but described as "sweet" and "respectful" by friends and neighbors.

Cappleman said Monday evening in an email to constituents that he had requested an increased police presence in the area, and announced a community forum aimed at providing "more alternatives for our youth."

Cappleman acknowledged that "while more police presence helps curb crime, it's not enough."

The email said that Cappleman, other elected officials and neighborhood organizations have been having conversations about the creation of a "46th Ward Community Youth Forum."

"At this forum, youth organizations, community leaders and elected officials will come together to talk and create a plan of action that will respond better to the needs of the at-risk youth in our community," Cappleman said, promising later in the email to keep residents updated as the event draws near.

But the email was slim on details about the forum, including its date, participants and how the community could better address "the needs of at-risk youth."

An Uptown resident who saw the shooting said he saw a black car with two people pull up, and a gunman wearing a black hoodie emerge to fire multiple shots at McGhee before getting back in the car, which fled the scene.

Adeshina Emmanuel spoke to the witness at the scene of Monday's shooting:

McGhee was a former student at Von Steuben High School and attended an alternative high school program at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., where friends say he was pursuing a GED certificate.

"I think he may have been affiliated with a gang but I didn't really know that part about him," said Emily Agyeman, who went to school with the victim. "Every time I would see him, he would always smile and ask me how I'm doing."

Police are reviewing camera footage in the area to help apprehend the shooter, according to Cappleman.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: