Community members support victim’s family, Capital City, following mass shooting
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Dozens of people gathered on Raspberry Island in St. Paul to honor a young woman who was shot and killed during a mass shooting over the weekend.
Early Sunday morning, according to St. Paul Police, three men got into an argument inside the Truck Park bar, along West Seventh Street, and started shooting at each other. Fifteen people were shot — 27-year-old Marquisha Wiley was shot and killed.
Also during the day, community members gathered outside of the popular bar to honor Wiley and show support for the other victims.
“I haven’t seen this many people shot in St. Paul,” said KG Wilson, of United in Peace Inc. Minneapolis.
“We came today to let you know we have compassion and we are concerned and we’re working on some things right now to make this a safer place,” he added.
Mourners gather Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, near a memorial of flowers and candles left outside Seventh Street Truck Park, a St. Paul bar where 15 people were shot and one was killed on Sunday.[KSTP]
A longtime community activist, Wilson understands the grief families feel following a loved one getting shot and killed — over the summer, his granddaughter, 6-year-old Aniya Allen, was shot and killed in Minneapolis. Investigators have not found the shooter.
About 12 hours after the mass shooting over the weekend, investigators in St. Paul were able to put three people in custody; two men have now been charged for their alleged involvement in the shooting.
Representatives with 21 Days of Peace were also at Monday’s vigil for the victims. 21 Days of Peace have been working alongside metro cities and their law enforcement to help curb violence. The representatives said in their 100-day checkup with city leaders they were told their work is making a positive impact and plan to continue it, including in the area of West Seventh.
This year, St. Paul and Minneapolis are both on pace to rocket past their 2020 homicide totals. Community leaders and members have been working toward solutions in the midst of the violence. Monday, coming together as a community was discussed as a way for people to help slow down the violence.
“We have to stop all the divisiveness, we have to stop tearing each other down and start building people up,” Rev. Darryl Spence, with 21 Days of Peace, said.
Leaders also mentioned mentoring our youth and sharing information with law enforcement if it can help them solve crimes as ways for community members to do their part to create safer cities.