Posted by Charles Fisher and Randy Fisher@HHSYC

Contact: Nick E. Smith, nsmith@council.nyc.gov           Phone: (917) 608-8784

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      7:00 A.M. EST, January 14, 2014

COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS RELEASES STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ARREST OF SUSPECT IN THE IQUAN WILLIAMS CASE

BROOKLYN, NY– Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) released the following statement after the NYPD announced the apprehension of the alleged shooter responsible for the death of 16-year-old Iquan Williams at a Brooklyn house party on January 4th:

COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS’ STATEMENT:

“My prayers for peace and comfort are with Iquan Williams’ family at what has to be a time of pain and questions. No young person, including Iquan, should have their lives taken from them in senseless acts of gun violence which does nothing but rip communities and families apart. The NYPD is to be commended for their swift response in apprehending a suspect involved in this case, particularly in light of recent reports of a disparity in investing homicide cases in the city’s outer-boroughs.

We must continue to do all we can to instill in young people in this city that there are ways to handle problems, including conflicts, that do not include gun violence. The City Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, of which I proudly co-chaired for the past two years, provided ideas and resources to help our young people do just that. It is my hope that the Task Force will continue and grow so that organizations like LIFE CAMP / I Love My Life, East Flatbush Village, Inc., Man Up! Inc., G.M.A.C.C. and similar programs can have the funding they need to engage our young people, on the ground, on a day-to-day basis. I will continue to push to ensure that they are adequately funded, in addition to ensuring adequate funding for the NYC Task Force to Combat Gun Violence.

It is my hope that the NYPD can continue to work together with the communities they serve in order to solve these reprehensible crimes as quickly as possible, in order to give some semblance of justice to the families and friends of the young people who have lost their lives. By quickly taking these suspects off the streets, we can hopefully prevent other families from having to endure the pain and anguish that the family of Iquan Williams must feel after their tragic loss.”

For more information please contact RandyKFisher@gmail.com.