Third shooting at Savannah intersection since March draws calls for community accountability

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A shooting Tuesday at the intersection of Live Oak Street and 33rd Street was the third at that location since March, according to investigators. More than 30 evidence markers were placed at the scene.

The intersection falls within District 2, represented by Alderman Detric Leggett — and down the block from where he grew up.

Leggett said the violence is personal to him.

“It’s very personal, which means I have to start having a conversation with these parents that I went to school with or these grandparents that I looked up to to be more accountable,” Leggett said.

The intersection’s history of crime

He said the area has a history of crime dating to the 1990s.

“In the 90s, it was a terrible situation. A lot of people lost their lives, a lot of people were afraid to even walk home from school,” Leggett said.

He said the neighborhood has improved since then.

“We’ve seen a lot of change, a lot of people have reinvested in the community and taken over the community for the better,” Leggett said.

Leggett and neighbors said criminal activity has increased recently. Most residents declined to speak on camera, saying they did not want to be targeted.

“I was out there yesterday and I had a conversation with a young man who was affected by the gun violence and he says the same thing as the rest of us, it’s senseless,” Leggett said.

What brought change before

Leggett said community involvement drove the reduction in crime during the 1990s and that the same approach is needed now.

“Everybody knew everybody’s parents and grandparents so for them to tell you ‘enough is enough,’ that meant a lot,” Leggett said.

The Savannah Police Department said no arrest has been made and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on any of the three shootings can leave an anonymous tip at 912.234.2020