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Petersburg community concerned over six April murders

Posted at 8:10 PM, Apr 28, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-28 20:10:58-04

PETERSBURG, Va. (WTVR) --Neighbors in Petersburg are fed up with the wave of violence that  hit their community this month.

Police tell CBS 6 News there have been six murders in the month of April.

Some neighbors tell CBS 6 "enough is enough."

The past few days there have been heartfelt pleas and prayers for peace, but neighbors have been met with more trying days and nights.

A makeshift memorial draws community eyes, built in honor of the four family members killed in a Harding Street fire, while police still try to track down their killer. Firefighters arrived on scene to extinguish a blaze, and then found three adults and a two-year-old child dead.

Days later, just a few houses down, there was another memorial for a 25-year-old man who was fatally shot.

Tejuan Kenny says he’s very concerned about the violence in his community.

“We are supposed to be family around here. People don't know how to act. We are supposed to get together, respect each other but all the killing doesn't make sense," Kenny said.

He’s hoping city leaders and police have plans to curb the violence.

“I just got to make sure to keep my eyes open at all times of the day, " Kenny explained.

Police tell CBS 6 they increased patrols and added more officers to hold traffic check points and enforce curfew for kids under seventeen.

They’re also conducting visible roll calls in the community. Kenny says it’s going to take more and it starts in each person’s home.

“I don't think it's going to change. You have to make that change for yourself, " Kenny said.

Of the six murders in April, Petersburg police tell us they have made one arrest.

They arrested 22-year-old Jules Moultrie III for the shooting death of Ronald Glover, Sr.,after a week-long manhunt.

Police are also looking to the community for help.

A community problem solving and solution sharing meeting is planned for May 31, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Petersburg Library. That meeting location is 201 W. Washington Street.

The work session will include representatives from all city departments and several faith based organizations.

To RSVP, citizens can call 863-2703.