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Resident Cheryl Hughes presses Harrisburg leaders for answers after son's July Midtown shooting; council offers follow‑up
Summary
Cheryl Hughes, a longtime Harrisburg resident, told council she has lost three sons to gun violence and demanded accountability and follow‑up from Mayor Wanda Williams and city staff after her son was killed in Midtown. Council members and staff offered to speak with her after the meeting and to make follow‑up contacts.
At public comment, Cheryl Hughes, a Harrisburg resident of 53 years, told City Council she has lost three sons to gun violence and demanded answers and accountability from Mayor Wanda Williams, whom she said did not follow through on a promised meeting and assistance.
"If the mayor would have kept her promise ... My son's blood's on her hands," Hughes said, recounting that her son, identified in the remarks as Azarra Hughes, was shot after leaving an event at the HMAC. She said she had repeatedly asked for the mayor’s help and that no one had contacted her after a recent meeting in which she said city representatives told her someone would follow up.
Council President Bowers and other council members responded that city staff would make contact after the meeting. Business Administrator Sam Sekoski (spoken of in the meeting as Mr. Sokowski/Sekoski) and other staff were present; the president asked Hughes to wait after the meeting so staff could follow up directly.
Earlier in the public‑comment period, Angel Fox, staff for State Senator Patty Kim, introduced herself and offered assistance from the senator’s office, saying they could provide help though not funding. That offer was noted before Hughes’ lengthy remarks.
Hughes said she has presented plans and raised the issue repeatedly with the mayor’s office and with other officials dating back several years and expressed frustration that she still had “no answers.” Council members urged Hughes to remain after the meeting so staff could speak with her about next steps and any resources or contacts the city could provide.
No formal action was taken during the meeting on matters raised during public comment. Council members indicated they would have city staff follow up with Hughes after the meeting and that they would assist in making any necessary contacts.
