PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria’s Police Chief says incidents such as Wednesday morning’s mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school are a wake-up call.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Chief Eric Echevarria says he was heartbroken by the tragedy, which left two students dead and 17 injured. He says it’s a wake-up call that safety is not guaranteed.
Echevarria says the tragedy is also a moment for people in Peoria to unite behind a rallying cry to Stand Up, Show Up, and Be There.
It was the rally cry behind more than 100 men who showed up in support of Manual High School students Monday morning, after two shooting incidents near the school last week.
“But we cannot do this alone. Families, schools, faith leaders, and neighbors, all of us, must rise together if we want a safer city,” Echevarria said.
Echevarria is urging people to volunteer at local schools, mentor youth, and report warning signs before they escalate.
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