Two murders, one day.
Four other shootings -- in a five-day period -- that led to victims being rushed to the hospital.
There have been six homicides this year, including four since the middle of May: 21-year-old Raymond Smith on May 12; 17-year-old Dewaun Miller on May 18; and 22-year-old Vincent Stone and 20-year-old Kennon Daniels both on Monday. Rodney Lutes, 54, was shot to death in March, and Lawless Kennedy, 49, was killed in April.
These men aren't mere statistics; they have families and friends who miss them dearly.
Blytheville has struggled with a crime problem for as long as I can remember, but violent acts seem to be more prevalent than at any time I can recall. Some speculate that there's an ongoing "turf war," which is certainly a possibility.
Whatever the reason, the daily police reports are filled with violence -- armed robberies and assaults, many domestic-related.
It's difficult for hard-working, law-abiding citizens to wrap their heads around why the community we love has seen such tragedies lately.
There are no easy answers to solving the crime problem.
In my opinion, the first step is changing the culture.
There are parents driving their children to fight another child. Teens are posing on social media with assault riffles and stacks of cash. Ironically, some call to free Joe Shooter, even after lamenting the loss of the victim.
There are too many young kids watching those they idolize end arguments by squeezing the trigger.
Sadly, pulling a gun on someone becomes the common, accepted way of resolving an issue for some in the community. They grow up seeing it and repeat those same evil acts.
Little do they realize, once the gun goes off, their lives, their families lives and the victim and his or her families lives all change forever.
There is no reset button, just a funeral service for the victim and an eventual prison sentence for the shooter, who has to live with the act for the rest of his life.
I firmly believe the change has to start at home. It's the parents' responsibility to teach their children right from wrong. Neighbors and community members have a role as well.
Children need to learn early to be accountable for their actions; parents have to care enough to teach them.
And when they don't, the soft juvenile system isn't doing the kids or community any favors, in my opinion.
It's also time to stop blaming the police officers, who aren't the ones committing these heinous crimes.
Speak up, give police information that would help them get the bad guy off the streets and do their jobs.
To me, it makes no sense when a shooting victim refuses to tell the cops who shot him or for a witness to withhold information, especially considering that they or someone they love could be the next victim.
Now, could one argue that police should be more proactive rather than reactive? Sure, but I also get that their challenge seems to be constantly dealing with budget cuts and having to relying on young officers.
There are a lot of factors in play, which would be a whole column in and of itself.
It's worth noting that officers were patrolling Williams Park just 10 minutes before Vincent Stone was killed there on Monday night.
The bottom line is this; if there is going to be change in Blytheville, we have to change the mindsets of our young people, parents have to instill values and we have to become a stronger faith-based community again.
What if members from every church in Blytheville gathered at Williams Park, joined hands and fervently prayed for an end to the violence, for a change in mindsets?
There is nothing more powerful than prayer. I truly believe that. I pray that parents will train up their children in the way they should go, as Proverbs says.
As a parent, I know that job isn't an easy one, but necessary. An entire community is affected when we don't.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com