Mum of shot teen: Chicago violence is 'heart-breaking'

808 views · Published 9 December 2016 · 1:55 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: BBC Sounds · 2016 · Film & Animation

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The mother of a 13-year-old who was fatally shot in Chicago says the city's violence has reached "heart-breaking" levels.

Stephanie Brown's son Darius was shot dead whilst playing basketball in 2011. She says the violence then was not as "rampant" as it is today.

"Here we are five years later and nothing has changed. In fact, it’s gotten worse. I just know that the pain I felt - every day, another mother, another family feels that," she said.

According to Chicago police department figures, there have been more fatal shootings in Chicago this year than any other city in the US - more than 700 homicides - which is already 50% more than in 2015.

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