Community advocacy group visits North Side HS to support students following weekend shooting

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A community advocacy group showed their support to North Side High School students Monday morning after a shooting that took place during a Halloween party left one North Side student dead and 10 others injured on Saturday night.

READ MORE: High School party ends in shooting on Fort Wayne’s northeast side Saturday night; 1 dead, 10 others injured

Organizer Roderick Parker is a former gang member who reformed his life, who says he wants to share with young kids in the community that they, too, can do the same.

Roderick Parker and Foundation took to North Side’s campus before school Monday, waving and sharing their hearts with students as they arrived at school for the first time since Saturday night’s shooting. Parker shares that he and his group organized this to show students that they are loved and that there is always help.

Parker says he is crushed that kids today see no other alternative than to use violence, adding that he hopes they can see there are better solutions to handling situations.

21Alive’s Kayla Stewart spoke with a man who lived near the home where the shooting took place, who recounted the chaotic scene and took the time to help students.

Read more here.

Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) leaders addressed the shooting in a letter to families over the weekend, saying it is a difficult loss for the community and they are offering counselors to students and staff.

You can read their full letter below.