Man’s gun death sparks broad violence debate

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – A Louisville family’s story of losing a loved one sparks an impassioned debate about gun violence. And while the story of Christian Gwinn and his family may have been in Louisville, the discussion could apply to Lexington or any other town in America.

Experts of all philosophies agreed the issue starts with trauma suffered at the youngest ages and requires early and last intervention. It also requires unity, not opposition.

“We’re behind the eight-ball because we didn’t have these conversations early on,” said Christopher 2X, an activist with Game Changers. “I truly believe when somebody is involved in reckless shootings as it relates to neighborhood shootings, it didn’t evolve when they got into high school, they started that evolution process at a very young age that went unchecked.”

Former U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman stated, “But much like the emergency room, if you don’t stop the bleeding, if we can’t get a handle on violent crime, then these economic development efforts, and education efforts and job training efforts will all fall flat.”

“But it’s got to be a two-way street, the people have got to open their arms, embrace the very people they hate today. And until that happens, until there is a partnership, until there is a coming together, until there is some trust between these two parties, it’s not going to get any better,” said Sen. Danny Carroll (R-Paducah).

Christian Gwinn was the last homicide of 2020 during a record year for deaths in Louisville. The discussion on group violence came during a meeting of the Legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary.