SAN ANTONIO – Angry and frustrated community leaders used strong language Thursday to voice their frustration with a drive-by shooting that killed a 4-year-old boy on the city's East Side.
San Antonio police Chief William McManus said the shooting that claimed the life of De-Earlvion Whitley at his home before midnight Wednesday at a home in the 200 block of Hub Avenue was gang-related.
The boy's mother and a 7-year-old sibling were also in the home at the time of the shooting. The woman was taken to University Hospital with a leg injury. The older child wasn't injured.
No arrests have been made.
During a news conference at Corner Gate Christian Church, McManus, Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, District 2 Councilman Cruz Shaw and East Side church leaders spoke out against the violence.
Here are excerpts from the news conference:
District 2 Councilman Cruz Shaw:
- "We have lost yet another citizen and child to senseless gun violence."
- "Enough is enough. I'm going to say it one more time, enough is enough. This senseless gun violence must stop. And it must stop now."
- "It has plagued our families, our spirits. But most importantly, our children."
- "The death of Earl cannot and will not be forgotten. His memory will forever be etched in our minds and our souls. This senseless death will not be in vain."
- "Our city deserves better. Our children deserve better."
Police Chief William McManus:
- "Here we are again."
- "The people involved in this act of violence where a 4-year-old died is beyond senseless and beyond stupid."
- "There are people in this subculture of gang activity who could give a crap less about anyone's life. They could care less."
- "And the stuff going on around here has been going on for generations. And we know who it is. Gang members' grandkids are gang members now."
- "For those people who are helping us, I thank you. And for those who are working against us, we're going to come after you."
Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood
- "I think it's time that we as a community start engaging in some hate speech. I hate murder."
- "The 4-year-old child did nothing wrong."
- "I recognize I'm in the house of the Lord, but if this doesn't piss the hell out of you, then nothing is going to."
- "I don't want this to be the new normal in San Antonio, Texas, and Bexar County."
- "This isn't about gun violence. It's about the condition of the heart. If you can't change a man's heart, you can't change his behavior."
Note: Nirenberg's and the church leaders' remarks can be seen below: