DETROIT – Detroit police Chief Todd Bettison gave an update on the rash of shootings involving teenagers this summer.
Bettison said at least some of the violence appears to be gang-related.
He gave Local 4 the update during his Walk a Mile Wednesday event on Detroit’s east side.
Detroit Police Department data shows a 33% increase in young victims of gun violence, compared to the same period last year.
A handful of those shootings we’ve covered so far can be found below.
Some were fatal, and in some, the victims were able to make a full recovery.
Bettison said on Wednesday (Aug. 20) that recent raids in the city have led to some gang-related arrests.
“A lot of it is gang-related, and so we did make some arrests with the raids as well. So, let me tell you, a lot of the gang members are not teens, also. And so I have individuals that are 20 and 30 years old that are still gangbanging, and we’re going to definitely hold them accountable too. I’m going after them, and guess what, I am a promise keeper and I promise to keep these offenders off of the street.”
Detroit police Chief Todd Bettison
To also combat violent crime among teens, the city approved higher fines for parents of kids who violate the city’s curfew.