CARMEL — Wednesday night, Carmel United Methodist Church held a prayer vigil to honor the lives lost in two of the country's most recent mass shootings: Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York.
Minister Jessica Stevens & Pastor Tim Burchill did not mince words about the need for action from elected leaders to try and prevent more tragedies from becoming reality.
They spoke about common-sense gun control measures along with ensuring mental health resources are readily available to the community.
They're urging everyone to reach out to elected leaders to get them to take action.
"I know we keep saying 'never again, never again,' but we just have to make sure as a community we come together and come up with a plan and take action on what needs to be done to address this," Adam Assen, a Carmel city councilman, said.
Assen was there as a councilman and a concerned parent.
"Over the last two decades, people have sent their kids off to school and the kids haven't come back. No one should have to worry about that when they send their kid to school," he said.
For many kids, including Stevens', Wednesday was their last day of school.
"I was just praying they would be safe," Stevens said. "It's something that parents have to think about on a regular basis. Are my children going to be safe? Are they going to be protected when I'm not with them and we don't know."
However, she points out that Carmel Clay's policies do give her some peace of mind.
"Every time I go in, they know me, but they still have to buzz me in, they still check my ID, verify my name," she said.
But Stevens knows the schools can only do so much. She hopes state and federal leaders see the anguish and pain shootings like this cause and decide to take action.
-
ESPN: Myles Turner signs four-year deal with Milwaukee Bucks
Myles Turner, the longest-tenured player of the Indiana Pacers, has agreed to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN sources.
Get ready for flavor at the 2025 Indiana State Fair: Taste of the Fair lineup
The Indiana State Fair has unveiled its 2025 Taste of the Fair lineup, featuring 40 culinary delights that celebrate the creativity and Hoosier pride of local vendors.
IU Police Academy trains recruits on ASL and Deaf culture
Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) recruits are receiving training in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture.'Eyes on the Child: Water Safety' campaign aims to prevent drownings
While aquatic recreation can be fun, it can also be dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children one to four years old, according to the CDC.
