Alabama leaders speak out after two mass shootings in one week

MONTGOMERY, AL (WIAT) —Two mass shootings in Alabama in the past week have raised concerns among state leaders.

A shooting in Birmingham left four people dead over the weekend. Five people, including four children, were killed in a shooting in Bibb County on Thursday.

State Rep. Kenyatté Hassell (D-Montgomery) is speaking out after nine people were killed in two mass shootings in Alabama. Hassell said the solution to gun violence lies within families.

“We need to strengthen families. We need to have good family structure,” Hassell said. “If I have family members that I know are involved in certain things, I want to reach out to them in a way and say, ‘Hey, let’s put the guns down.’ And I think the whole community can help holistically in that way.”

State Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster), a law enforcement official, said gun violence can be attributed to a variety of factors. But he said the root cause is pure evil and society needs to work to address it.

“I think you have to look at certain factors as to whether this was something that occurred in an urban environment or a rural environment,” Bedsole said. “Was this something that occurred as a direct result of some other criminal activity?”

Hassell said that helping our youth through mentorship is a way to help our communities from the heart.

“You, my family, the institution of family, I tell people it’s God’s first institution,” Hassell said. “And I think if we get back to some of those values, and it doesn’t cost any money. It doesn’t cost us anything. I think if we get back to some of those values.”

Bedsole said lawmakers are discussing ways to reach young people early, before they are indoctrinated into illegal activities.

“But I can tell you that ultimately I believe that some of the things that our children are exposed to at such an early age are a contributing factor to the cycle of violence,” Bedsole said.

Bedsole advises that we should communicate with each other with empathy and respect, regardless of the discussion.