Orlando mayoral candidate and retired Police Commander Samuel B. Ings raised a clarion call for urgent action in response to the alarming surge in youth homicides caused by gun violence. Ings also called for increasing police patrols in local communities as gun violence, homicides and crime remain concerns as he challenges Mayor Buddy Dyer in the upcoming election.
Ings’ campaign said gun violence has taken the lives of too many children in Orlando, including the Carver Shores community, and that it is preventable and we can stop it.
The tragic killing of 6-year old Ajahliyah Hashim, which occurred last month in a drive-by shooting while watching television in her living room, ignited outrage among Orlando residents. The incident also left her mother wounded.
Ings added that the gravity of the situation was further emphasized by another shooting incident in the same area, where three lives were lost earlier this year. This marked the second time in less than six months that innocent lives were taken due to gun violence in the Carver Shores community. A previous incident on April 9, 2023, witnessed a deadly shooting during an Easter egg hunt at Poppy Park, resulting in the death of three individuals and injuries to two others. More incidents involving gun violence occurred at Poppy Park since.
“The heart-wrenching reality is that a child’s life was cut short within the safety of her own home,” Samuel B. Ings passionately stated. “We must take a proactive stance by increasing police patrols in our communities. The current situation demands that we prioritize prevention over simply responding to crime scenes. The residents of Carver Shores are rightfully demanding enhanced police presence to ensure their safety and well-being.”
However, the issue of gun violence in Orlando extends beyond the confines of Carver Shores. In the months of April and May 2023, a 14-year old boy lost his life to gun violence on International Drive. Tragically, on South Parramore, a grandmother and her two grandchildren also fell victim to gunshot wounds. There have been incidents of gun violence throughout the City of Orlando under Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration.
Ings, who brings over 30 years of experience from the Orlando Police Department (OPD) and 13 years of service on the Orlando City Council, representing both the tourist district and the Carver Shores community, stressed that the issue must be addressed locally.
“Gun violence is a collective concern for all of Orlando,” Ings said. “We cannot afford to let this crisis go unaddressed. It’s imperative that we treat it as a health crisis and take decisive action to curb its escalation.”
In support of his commitment to safeguarding the community, Ings announced his proposal to assign a police school resource officer to each elementary school within the City of Orlando. This initiative aims to provide an additional layer of protection for elementary school children.
The Orlando general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023, encompassing the mayoral race and city commissioner positions for Districts 2, 4, and 6.
