Mayor Turner, murder victims' families issue plea to end Houston bloodshed

ByPooja Lodhia KTRK logo

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Rash of violence shocks SunnysideMore than a decade ago, the Sunnyside neighborhood in southeast Houston was described as one of the most dangerous places in the country.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the family members of murder victims made a plea today to end the bloodshed in Houston.

Turner and members of Mothers of Murdered Children met Wednesday at the scene of a recent murder: a gas station at the corner of Cullen and Belfort where a man was shot and killed by a suspect in a black car.

"We're not going to sit back and grieve behind closed doors. We're coming out to let the community know that this is real," said Calandrian Kemp, whose son was murdered.

Kemp those who joined community leaders to send a message of solidarity.

"I'm here because I'm my son's voice. I'm my only son, my baby's voice from the grave," explained Kathy Blueford-Daniels, whose son was murdered.

Over the past month, there have been well over 150 major crimes in the Sunnyside area of Houston.

Houston police say the area is being ravaged by gang wars.

"It's our job to give assurances to the public that the information is confidential and that we're going to act on that information," said HPD chief Martha Montalvo.