📰 The Gist: The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, with the Georgia State Patrol’s assistance, apprehended a man linked to a fatal double shooting in Lithonia.
🔍 The Details: Authorities in DeKalb County arrested 44-year-old Javoka Shumaker on April 2 in connection with a double shooting on Valentine’s Day that resulted in one death. The incident took place on Embacadero Drive in Lithonia and was witnessed by a child.
Paul Smith, one of the victims, died from his injuries, while Jennifer Mullins survived. Shumaker was captured at an apartment complex in Lithonia and faces charges including murder-malice, aggravated assault with a weapon, and first-degree cruelty to children. He was booked into the DeKalb County Jail without bond.
👮♂️ Gun Crimes in Our Communities: Here are statistics from The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit meticulously tracking gun incidents.
2023 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 39,135
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 18,874
- Gun-related injuries: 36,357
- Mass shootings: 656
2022 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 42,064
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 20,200
- Gun-related injuries: 38,500
- Mass shootings: 647
While firearm deaths and injuries saw a slight decline compared to previous years, mass shootings continued to rise, with 2023 surpassing 650 incidents. This underscores the continued severity of gun violence in the U.S.
To Be Clear: These aren’t just digits on a page. Each statistic represents a life affected, a community shaken.
