‘Wild Wild West.' Neighbors call for youth resources after violent weekend in University Heights
Some longtime residents said they hope to see more investment in young people and community resources.
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Neighbors in University Heights are calling for more youth resources after a violent weekend on the same street left two men injured in separate incidents.
Police said a 20-year-old man was shot in the stomach just after 6:30 a.m. Saturday on Hennessey Place. He is expected to survive.
Investigators said the suspect was wearing a black ski mask and fled in a blue Honda Civic on West Burnside Avenue after the shooting.
One neighbor, Jose Terc, described the atmosphere in the neighborhood in stark terms.
"This is the wild wild west,” says Terc.
Terc said he heard three gunshots while sitting inside his home.
"I was sitting right there in this chair and all the sudden I heard a 'boom, boom' and I was like what the blank man,” says Terc.
He said the violence has left him fearful.
"I'm scared of coming down here. My son said, ‘Don't come down to the block,’ because it's dangerous,” says Terc.
Less than 24 hours later, police said a second violent incident unfolded on the same street.
Authorities said a 22-year-old man was slashed in the arm, head and chest following an argument around 8:45 a.m. Sunday.
He is also expected to survive.
Despite the two incidents, several neighbors said violence of this nature is uncommon in the area.
Adrian previously lived on Hennessey Place before moving a block away.
"It was safe. We knew all the neighbor kids, play, have block parties and stuff like that,” says Adrian.
Some longtime residents said they hope to see more investment in young people and community resources.
Matt, a University Heights resident, said the neighborhood needs more places for children and teenagers to spend time.
"We need to have a YMCA center, even like a youth center for kids to come when they want to get away from home,” says Matt.
"We need a kids' center around here. We need a park. We need something for kids to keep them occupied," another community member added.
Police have not said whether the shooting and slashing are related. No arrests had been announced as of Monday evening.
