LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — A vigil for the community to heal from the tragic impact of violence, especially gun violence, will be hosted by the Lafayette Police Department.
The vigil will be held Thursday, October 5 at Parc Sans Souci from 6 p.m- 7:30 p.m. Thursday’s vigil will be the first time the police department partnered with the national organization Faith & Blue to host ‘Night of Healing.’
LPD Public Information Officer Lt Jace Quebedeaux said Faith & Blue is a national organization that’s culturally and spiritually diverse.
“They come in and bring it through a faith-based perspective. They bring ministers, pastors, and all walks of faith-based communities,” Quebedeaux said.
A ‘Night of Healing’ is for the community to work on healing from the impact of violence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows Louisiana has the 2nd highest U.S. gun death rate. Data from the LPD shows they have responded to 17 homicides. Out of the 17, 14 were due to shootings. However, Sgt. Robin Green with LPD said there have been some improvements. She said, as of last year, there were 19 homicides around this time.
“This is not a centrally located Lafayette issue. This goes on throughout the United States. In gun violence there’s an uptick obviously with violence in general, but especially gun violence,” said Quebedeaux.
Quebedeaux told KLFY News 10 that the public’s support for this is important.
“Put everybody at ease and let them know the Lafayette Police Department will proactively try to stop any type of violence, especially gun violence, to where our community isn’t hurt anymore by senseless tragedies involving- guns,” Quebedeaux said.
The National Faith & Blue Weekend 2023 runs from Friday, Oct. 6 – Monday, Oct. 9. The LPD notes that they understand the separation of church and state. They do not endorse one religion or faith-based organization over another; all faiths are welcomed.
