MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Trauma Program Director and nurse at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital says that the increase in gunshot victims coming through their doors each year is concerning.
Le Bonheur has seen 33 gunshot victims in 2024 thus far, and one of those children died from their injuries. The number is a decrease from 41 gunshot wounds treated at this time last year.
“We are glad to see that decrease. However, we are highly concerned about the numbers and what’s going on in our community,” said Anissa Cooper.
Le Bonheur ended 2023 with a record number of 180 total gunshot victims for the year. Nine of those children did not survive.
In July alone, 24 children were treated for gunshot wounds, the highest number recorded in a single month over the last seven years.
In recent years, the children’s hospital has implemented hospital-based violence intervention programs that provide safe housing, employment assistance, school enrollment, and mental health counseling for entire families.
“We’ve also been collaborating with city organizations to help provide those wrap-around services to our families and children that we are seeing in the Mid-South area,” said Cooper.
Cooper says that oftentimes, children become victims by getting a hold of guns that are not stored away safely in their homes. Others are innocent bystanders.
She says in order to combat these types of incidents, Le Bonheur is teaching gun safety through a program called “Be Smart,” where families have the opportunity to learn about safe gun storage.
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“We highly recommend talking to your children about guns and not touching guns and things of that nature. Making sure they understand the seriousness of guns and what can happen with them. Just being aware and being mindful of your surroundings,” said Cooper.
Cooper says that the number of victims today is “tremendous” compared to when she first became a nurse at the hospital over 24 years ago.
She says it can be difficult at times, but Le Bonheur provides mental health counseling for the hospital staff to make sure they are mentally well enough to care for patients and families.
“We can’t take care of them if we’re not taking care of ourselves,” said Cooper. “We believe that if we all pull together, work together, and stay focused on the safety of our children I believe we can make a change and do better.”
According to data from Le Bonheur, most of the victims are boys between the ages of 15 and 18.
