Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Durham Minister Advocates for Supportive Measures following Triple Shooting Tragedy

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — In an impassioned plea to the City Council on Tuesday, Durham minister Allen Jones addressed the challenges faced by grieving families and survivors in the wake of tragedy.

Jones, who is also a mortician at the Ellis D. Jones Funeral Home in Durham, spoke on behalf of the families coping with the loss of their loved ones. He shared his personal experience of losing his 18-year-old grandson, T.J., in a triple shooting incident in Burlington back in 2019. Even after four years, the trauma of this loss continues to reverberate through his work.

Reflecting on the emotional toll, Jones stated, “When it comes to your front door, it’s not the same. This is 2023. I have prepared over 100 young bodies during this time, and I still have to carry that weight.”

Addressing the urgent need for support, the Durham Community Safety and Wellness Task Force has proposed the establishment of an “Office of Survivor Care.” This initiative requires a budget of at least $1 million to run for three years.

Task force co-chair Marcia Owen emphasized the significance of this office, stating, “It will provide us with the means, opportunity, and tools to deeply understand the needs of survivors and serve them to the best of our ability.”

While law enforcement officials often bear the responsibility of notifying families about violent deaths, Owen stressed the importance of having trained professionals dedicated to this task. She highlighted the need for a compassionate approach outside of the law enforcement system.

According to the Durham Police Department, the city has witnessed over 200 shooting incidents and 42 fatalities this year alone. ABC11’s Safety Tracker reveals a 16% increase in the murder rate over the past 12 months compared to the average of the previous three years.

Owen emphasized the healing power of support, stating, “We believe that healing people heal, and hurt people hurt.”

The primary objective of the proposed Office of Survivor Care is to provide assistance to those grappling with the unique grief, pain, and emotions resulting from violence, particularly gun violence. Survivors’ needs will be identified and addressed through an open and empathetic approach.

This proposal is one of 16 recommendations put forth by the task force in their final report.

The city manager is set to draft the budget in January, with public input accepted from March onwards.

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