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Killeen killings push woman to organize community meeting in hopes of stopping the violence

There have been six reported homicides in Killeen in less than three months and multiple shootings involving teenagers. A local woman is doing something about it.

KILLEEN, Texas — A Killeen woman is fed up with a string of recent shootings in the city and is vowing to do something about it -- starting with a meeting on Monday evening at the Killeen Community Center.

Lolita Gilmore said she wants to get the City Council together with citizens to discuss the cause of the crimes. 

"In the last two or three months, I know for a fact we've had at least seven young men die," Gilmore said. "We want to understand what is provoking these kids to move to that level of crime."

Since Aug. 2019, there have been six shooting related homicides reported in Killeen. The shootings were reported on Aug. 11, Aug. 28, Oct. 2, Oct. 4, and two on Oct. 30. Another man was found dead in Nolan Creek on Oct. 16. Four of the victims were younger than 20, as were several of the shooters. 

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"Is it a matter of hopelessness? Is it a matter of resources or not having a strong family setting? Is it environmental? Those are the questions you begin to ask," Gilmore told 6 News. "The key is to identify some viable solutions."

Gilmore is working to create a new community organization called the 76541 Community Coalition Initiative. She will have the organization's first meeting Monday at 6:30 pm at the Killeen Community Center. 

"We want to hear suggestions. We want to hear comments. We know we are going to get a lot of complaints," Gilmore said. "But we want to walk away with an ingratiated plan."  

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Gilmore wants to create teams that will focus on mentoring programs in the city as well as creating new opportunities for social service organizations to work with local families. She also wants to find out if the Killeen Police Department can provide more patrols in inner-city areas. 

Gilmore invited the Killeen City Council to the meeting. Gilmore said there will also be representatives from AWARE Central Texas, Crystal Clear Behavioral Health Services, Educated Angels, and other groups.    

Anyone interested in getting involved with the 76541 Community Coalition Initiative can contact Gilmore at 254-247-9970.

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