Neighbors React to Shooting, Say Doesn't Relate to Crime
By: Josh Berry
Updated: May 24, 2012
Little Rock Police are investigating the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy.
The victim is identified as TyJuan Woodard.
Police are investigating the incident as an accidental shooting.
People in this community said they don't want people to see this story and immediately think "just another bad neighborhood."
"I don't want people to think it's just in the hood," said neighbor, Danny B. "It's happening in the suburban neighborhoods out there in Chenal... shootouts on Bowman."
Those who live on Grand Street in Little Rock where this shooting took place said it could've happened anywhere.
Despite the shooting being ruled a homicide until late Thursday morning, police said there is absolutely no reason to associate other crimes in this neighborhood to what happened here Thursday.
Little Police Lieutenant Terry Hastings said, "Really hasn't got much to do with this incident. This is strictly just an accidental shooting."
Minister Ernest Franklin, with the group Stop the Violence, put up a cross in the front yard of the home.
He said, "Up in this area right in here it's kinda what you call a high crime area, and we got to do whatever we can to minimize."
Crosses also stand in a nearby lot, representing violent crimes in the area.
But for Anthony Rozaer, that area is his home and he said it's not associated with crime.
"All ages, all neighborhoods... it can happen anywhere," he claimed.
One thing neighbors would admit to is that kids around there are no strangers to weapons.
"At fourteen you know what a gun does, especially staying somewhere like this, you KNOW what guns do," Danny B. said.
Little Rock Police take these incidents to teach a lesson.
"You need to make sure that weapon is secured or they're educated as to what that weapon means and what it can do," said Lt. Hastings.
As of Thursday evening, neither the police nor the neighborhood was prepared to place fault for this shooting.
Danny B. added, "We can't blame nobody, but at the same time it's an accident that shouldn't have happened."
While police said this is an accidental shooting, once it goes to the prosecuting attorney, that final determination is up to them and to decide if criminal charges will be filed.
Meanwhile, DHS has also been involved to evaluate the home and its condition.
The victim is identified as TyJuan Woodard.
Police are investigating the incident as an accidental shooting.
People in this community said they don't want people to see this story and immediately think "just another bad neighborhood."
"I don't want people to think it's just in the hood," said neighbor, Danny B. "It's happening in the suburban neighborhoods out there in Chenal... shootouts on Bowman."
Those who live on Grand Street in Little Rock where this shooting took place said it could've happened anywhere.
Despite the shooting being ruled a homicide until late Thursday morning, police said there is absolutely no reason to associate other crimes in this neighborhood to what happened here Thursday.
Little Police Lieutenant Terry Hastings said, "Really hasn't got much to do with this incident. This is strictly just an accidental shooting."
Minister Ernest Franklin, with the group Stop the Violence, put up a cross in the front yard of the home.
He said, "Up in this area right in here it's kinda what you call a high crime area, and we got to do whatever we can to minimize."
Crosses also stand in a nearby lot, representing violent crimes in the area.
But for Anthony Rozaer, that area is his home and he said it's not associated with crime.
"All ages, all neighborhoods... it can happen anywhere," he claimed.
One thing neighbors would admit to is that kids around there are no strangers to weapons.
"At fourteen you know what a gun does, especially staying somewhere like this, you KNOW what guns do," Danny B. said.
Little Rock Police take these incidents to teach a lesson.
"You need to make sure that weapon is secured or they're educated as to what that weapon means and what it can do," said Lt. Hastings.
As of Thursday evening, neither the police nor the neighborhood was prepared to place fault for this shooting.
Danny B. added, "We can't blame nobody, but at the same time it's an accident that shouldn't have happened."
While police said this is an accidental shooting, once it goes to the prosecuting attorney, that final determination is up to them and to decide if criminal charges will be filed.
Meanwhile, DHS has also been involved to evaluate the home and its condition.
