(Tunica, MS) Friends of a Tunica teen shot and killed are trying to put an end to youth violence.
If all goes as planned, they’ll start a summer program in Tunica County.
On Beat Line Road in Tunica, you’ll find flowers and teddy bears.
It’s a reminder of a life that ended too soon.
Donterrius Jackson, 17, was shot and killed one week ago.
Deputies arrested his Rosa Fort High classmate, 17-year-old Cortez Bass, for murder and cyberstalking.
Investigators said Bass was in a gang.
“I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. When I close my eyes, it’s like he’s on my eyelids. It’s devastating not only for me, but his dad and his little brother who watched him die,” said Linda Jackson, mother of Donterrius.
Family and friends are torn up over what happened and want to put a stop to teen violence, so they hope to start a youth program this summer.
Today, they met with the Tunica Recreation Department to see if they can use its buildings.
The plan is to offer sports and educational activities and teach kids how they can help their community through volunteer work.
“Hopefully, this will bring the community together as a whole. Our youth are getting more dangerous than they were years ago,” said Commander Cedric Davis with the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office.
Right now, an official proposal is being put together.