Reverend Kyev Tatum used a photograph of dead teens from a quadruple murder as part of his invitation to an upcoming neighborhood meeting to discuss community violence.
Last Friday, Fort Worth police officers found the teens in an SUV following what officers say was a botched drug deal. Three of them died on the scene.
Paramedics rushed the fourth teen to the hospital, but he passed away in the emergency room.
Before police arrived, someone took a photo of the dead teenagers—the photo that Reverend Tatum used in meeting invitations that he sent to local leaders and organizations.
“That was the hardest picture for me to ever send out to those who care,” said Tatum. “I did not put it on social media; I sent it to the news media and to the elected officials and clergy who, when they see that picture, they should understand that we need help.”
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner identified the dead teens as Ricky Jovon, Jason Deshaun Nash, Amari’yon Cravin, and Marc DeWayne Boyd Jr.
Jovon was 19 years old, while the other three were 17.
“We know that these murders have created a traumatic environment,” Tatum said, adding that he wants the teens’ deaths to be a wake-up call for his community.
He said, “We need committed, compassionate adults to come together.”
Among those Tatum invited to the meeting are Congressman Marc Veasey, Representative Nicole Collier, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks, and Councilmember Chris Nettles, who represents the district where the shooting occurred.
The meeting took place at his church, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, on October 13 at 11:30 a.m. and was open to the public.
Tatum wanted to provide community members a platform to discuss their thoughts, fears, and concerns over the violence. Anyone interested in pursuing solutions to stop the violence in the Morningside neighborhood is welcome to attend.
New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church is located at 2864 Mississippi Avenue, Fort Worth, TX.