'Part of me is gone': Stockton families mourn loss of teenagers to gun violence
Families in Stockton are mourning the loss of five teenagers to gun violence so far this year, as the community grapples with the ongoing crisis and calls for action grow louder. "It's like a part of me is gone," said Sophy Thong, the mother of Jamal Calbert, one of the victims. Thong's nightmare began in March when she was startled out of bed and rushed to her 17-year-old son Jamal. Despite her efforts, it was too late. "And the only thing my son said is, 'mom, help me,'" Thong said. Jamal was shot in the garage and passed away shortly after. "The pain a mother feels losing a child, it's a pain that I would never, ever wish on anybody," Thong said.Unfortunately, Thong is not alone. Three other 17-year-olds have been killed in Stockton since the start of the year, leaving three other families to live with that pain. "All these kids just, they need to just put the gun down," Thong urged. "What's the gun going to do? You're taking people's lives." According to officials, Julian Martinez was shot and killed February 1 on North El Dorado Street, Jamal Calbert on March 5 on Dove Wood Street, and Isaic Aromin-Quintoa and Marques Yarbrough on April 9 near Lafayette and San Joaquin Streets.Dehjon Banks, Jamal's best friend since second grade, recalled the scene. "I saw all the cop cars line past me, tape everywhere. I was like, oh my God," Banks said.Banks noted that Jamal is not his only friend who has been killed this year, as he knew two other victims as well. "Kids my age is getting killed," he said. "Teens are getting killed more than adults right now. This is crazy and most of it is because of the violence. My advice to the public is just put the gun down."Stockton's Office of Violence Prevention is working tirelessly to stop senseless crime. "When you have children that are struggling or you're trying to deal with the behaviors... there are resources. You can learn how to parent those children," said Lora Larson, the director. Stockton Police are stepping in with a new program, Parenting with a Purpose, aimed at supporting parents and guardians in creating a safe, positive home environment to help prevent youth violence. However, Thong believes it is out of the parents' control. "You know what? It's not. I'm sorry to say that, but watching your kids more...the kids need programs. The kids need some place that they could go in, you know, hang out without, you know, guns and everything else," she said.Stockton Police report four 17-year-olds have been killed so far this year compared to three last year, emphasizing the need to stop the violence. "My first arrest for drive-by shooting was when I was 13. So right away, you know, involved with picking up weapons and stuff and actually using them," said Jose Gomez, an outreach coordinator. His colleague, Daniel Bass, got involved in gun violence when he was only 9. "I know for sure the road I was going—it was destruction. I would have either been dead or in prison. And if I didn't make the changes that I made exactly when I made them, I wouldn't be here right now," Bass said. Both Gomez and Bass now spend their days convincing teens that there is an alternative. "Don't allow your environment to dictate your destiny," Bass said. "Don't think because you've made a mistake or two, or because school is hard for you, or because your neighborhood is violent and there's gangs there, that you have to be involved in that, or you have to adjust or adapt to that. You can rise above."The hope is to prevent another mother from having sleepless nights. "That pain that you can't...you can't erase it," Thong said. "It’s going to be with you for the rest of your life." Police have made arrests in three out of the four homicides, with Jamal's case remaining unsolved. In the past week, a 19-year-old was also shot and killed in Stockton, and police say that case is still under investigation.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
