EBR officials jointly targeting gun safety

Top officials gathered today at City Hall to underscore the importance of gun safety in the wake of three recent unrelated deaths of minors who were killed by others mishandling guns. “In these cases, the adult owners of these weapons should expect to face prosecution for negligent homicide or improper supervision of a minor,” reads a joint statement from Mayor Kip Holden, District Attorney Hillar Moore III, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Coroner Beau Clark and Police Chief Dewayne White. Specifically, 20-year-old Deaundre Williams has been arrested in the death of 15-year-old Enrico Green; 18-year-old Terrance Varise has been arrested in the death of 2-year-old Travin Varise; and a 16-year-old unnamed juvenile has been arrested in the death of 17-year-old death Marcus Williams. All three deaths have occurred since the start of the year. “Often times these shootings are referred to as accidental shootings. This is not correct,” reads the statement. “These are not accidents. They are foreseeable injuries and deaths that can occur whenever the adult owners of these firearms leave them unsecured where children and young adults can access them.” The officials are urging parents and other adults in the community to secure firearms and supervise any shooting activities “to reduce future senseless killings,” and have compiled a list of gun safety reminders that you can check out here.