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Family member of slain attendee urges prevention; council offers support and prosecutors to pursue charges
Summary
A relative of a victim who died after an incident at a downtown event addressed the council, asking for city action on trauma prevention and support; council members expressed condolences, said prosecutors and police are pursuing suspects and offered trauma services and violence-prevention resources.
A family member identified as Louis Bell Jr. addressed the council about a fatal incident involving his cousin, Shalanda Williams, that occurred at a recent downtown event. Bell described the emotional toll on his family and urged the city to pursue prevention and greater supports for mental health and violence prevention.
Council members offered condolences and described several responses. One councilmember said the prosecutor’s office and the police department were working with other agencies to bring suspects into custody. Council members noted the city previously allocated funds for violence-prevention programs (including SOS and a city violence-prevention office) and encouraged the family to work with city staff and community partners that are offering trauma support. Staff and council members pointed to River Region United Way and community centers as sources of trauma support and said the city would assist the family in connecting with services.
Several councilmembers encouraged the speaker to work directly with violence-prevention staff and other city officials to get involved in prevention efforts and community supports. No policy or program adoption occurred during the work session; councilmembers said existing violence-prevention initiatives and trauma services would be made available to affected families and recommended further follow-up with prosecutors and police as investigations proceed.
