Video: Residents Talk Safety After Daycare Bullet

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — The Columbus police department and city leaders held a meeting Monday at the Genesis Church daycare for concerned parents, teachers, and residents to voice their concerns about a shooting that happened on the property last Thursday.

After three shots were fired, one bullet went through the window of a classroom that had children inside. No one was hurt.

The meeting gave community members the chance to speak to Mayor Robert Smith, Ward 4 city councilman Marty Turner, and interim police chief Fred Shelton face-to-face, and discuss any issues they had in the neighborhood.

One mother, Lakeydra Hubbard, whose child attends the daycare, said she likes the fact the city is giving her the opportunity to speak about her concerns.

“We could be gathering here for a whole different reason…”, Hubbard said, “…we could be gathering here for a vigil or something…”

While Hubbard appreciated her chance to speak her mind, her mother, Mattie Walls, said she’s frustrated with the response from the city.

We’ve had these meetings before…we’ve talked about it, what are we going to do…”, said Walls, “…we got to do some action about it now…”

Interim police chief Fred Shelton said he responded to the community’s request for more police presence by increasing patrols and having an officer at the daycare when it opens and closes.

Shelton also stressed the importance of the police-neighborhood relationship, saying that the police would not be unable to solve these crimes without the help and information from the public.

“As one parent said, we want to empower the community to pick up the phone, if you see something, report it…”, said Shelton, “…if you hear something, say something about it.”

City leaders will also look into adding extra lighting around the daycare area.

No arrests have been made from the shooting and investigators are pursuing active leads.

Shelton asks anyone with information to call the police department or Crimestoppers.