Brandon Johnson

Young people have to understand that they should not attend these unauthorized events that have been advertised on social media.

They are extremely dangerous due to the number of individuals that may be carrying weapons.

And as much progress as we have made, there are still far too many guns on our streets.

For these young people who have engaged in these incidents,

you have put yourselves and your friends at risk.

Because of the reckless behavior of a few individuals, we have families devastated and our downtown residents are hesitant to leave their own homes.

I'm the first person to recognize that we have more work to do in this city to provide safe spaces for our young people.

But these type of violent gatherings can never be an alternative

nor can they be normalized.

We need parents, guardians, and other responsible adults to do their best to accompany young people in large, unsanctioned gatherings where weapons are likely to be present.

There's always more we as adults can do to make sure that we know where our kids are and what they are doing.

I know what it's like to come home when you are five years old and your dad is not there.

And I am still standing.