SPRINGDALE -- Residents crowded Luther George Grove Street Park and the streets of a nearby neighborhood Tuesday evening for a peace walk in the wake of two recent homicides.
Police believe the two fatal shootings were gang-related. The first occurred at 32 Applegate Drive on March 13, and the second was blocks away at 609 Savage St. on April 11.
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To see the path the peace walk took, go to www.google.com/maps. Type “Luther George Grove Street Park Springdale” into the search bar in the upper left corner. The walk went south from the park on the Razorback Greenway, traveled along Park Street, Applegate Drive, Ellis Lane, Applegate Drive again, Caudle Avenue, Savage Street, Lincoln Avenue, Mountain View Avenue, Park Street again and then back to the greenway into the park.
Killed were Fabian Rodriguez, 18, on March 13 and Jimmy Rodriguez, 20, on April 11. A 14-year-old boy and 21-year-old woman were also injured by shots March 13.
Police have arrested a juvenile and four men in the crimes.
Lt. Derek Hudson, public information officer for the Springdale Police Department, estimated several hundred people attended Tuesday's peace walk.
People crowded the Razorback Greenway as they crossed a bridge out of the park and into the neighborhood where the homicides occurred. One person held a sign that read "Let it begin with ME!" Among the walkers were residents, children, Springdale School District employees and city officials.
City leaders referred to the walk earlier Tuesday at a news conference in the City Council chambers. Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley said it takes a community to make a difference. She said the walk is "evidence that that seed has been planted."
Mayor Doug Sprouse spoke at the conference about the Police Department's plans for seven more school resource officers next school year. The seven positions will be paid for with a federal grant. He said it will "strengthen an already positive program."
Sprouse also spoke about a plan, pending City Council approval, to add 10 patrol officers to the Police Department. O'Kelley said after the conference the officers would likely be added incrementally.
Irvin Camacho, a Springdale resident who organized the walk with some friends, also attended the news conference. He said after he wants the walk to initiate a conversation about preventing violent situations. He also hoped the event would bring the community together.
Danny Labwij, 17, goes to school at Archer Learning Center just north of the park and neighborhood. He said he attended the walk to support the community.
"All of the stuff that's going on around Springdale, it's got to stop," he said.
Police escorted the trail of people with police cars and on bicycles. Some residents watched the walk from their doorways and porches.
John Simmons stood outside his house at 515 Park St. and watched the group make its way down the street. He explained he moved to Northwest Arkansas from Southern California 20 years ago, and the recent homicides brought back memories of crime in California. He said he thinks the walk is good.
"I think the community needs to come together over all this stuff," he said.
As Tuesday's walk ended, Camacho chanted and the walkers repeated after him.
"Everywhere we go people want to know who we are," they chanted. "We are Springdale, mighty mighty Springdale, fighting for justice and a safe community."
Camacho said it was a friend who approached him with the idea for the walk. He attended a funeral for Jimmy Rodriguez, and spoke with Rodriguez's family about the idea. He then filmed a video to post on Facebook when he got home from the funeral.
The video, which Camacho posted on Facebook on April 15, announced the walk. The video was in English, and he posted a Spanish version the next day.
In preparation for the event, Camacho got a permit from the Police Department and spoke with Sprouse, police officials and Team Springdale, a group promoting the city via social media. He said he's also had a discussion about a possible anniversary walk next year.
Erin Spandorf can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAErin.
A Section on 04/22/2015