Rise Up For Peace Celebrates Year Of Walking To Stop Gun Violence

TAMPA, FL — A grassroots group of parents, police and politicians determined to put an end to gun violence in East Tampa celebrated the first anniversary of the formation of Rise Up for Peace Saturday at MacFarlane Park.

Joining them were members of the Tampa Police Department include Chief Ruben Delgado, who have joined monthly rallies and walked with the group to advocate against gun violence and encourage residents to end their silence when they witness a crime.

Rise Up for Peace was founded by residents Patricia Brown and Jacqueline Saddler-Daniels after their own sons were shot and killed. Concerned about the escalating gun violence occurring in Tampa, the women founded the organization to end the conspiracy of silence and encourage residents to tell police what they know when a crime is committed.

Devanté Brown was 27 years old, but Patricia Brown still considered him her baby because he was the youngest of her six children. On March 21, 2020, he went out to meet some friends and was the victim of random gunfire committed by a group of four men. He died at Tampa General Hospital before she Brown arrived and she still regrets never having the chance to say goodbye.

Devanté Brown was among three young Black men killed by gunfire within a week in East Tampa. Although all weren't gun-related, the Tampa Police Department investigated 100 shootings and 41 homicides in 2020. There have been more than 400 incidents in Tampa involving guns in 2021.

In a video, Patricia Brown urges the community to come together and help put an end to this violence.

Saddler-Daniels' story is equally tragic. On July 12, 2020, her 28-year-old son, Dwayne Saddler, went to a party on North 23rd Street and East Lake Avenue where gunfire broke out. When police arrived, they found Saddler mortally wounded. He died in the ambulance before ever reaching the hospital.

Saddler-Daniels talks about her son's death and the need to end gun violence in a video.

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"There's been too many senseless murders in Tampa," Delgado said. "We're just as frustrated as the community. The reality is we still have not brought all of the killers to justice. We need the community to come together and do the right thing. We have to come together as a city to solve these crimes."

He said he knows there are people in the community with vital information to solving these homicides, but are afraid to come forward. He urged them to contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay anonymously at 800-873-TIPS (8477), which offers a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these killers.

See related stories:

• Grieving Parents Come Together To March Against Gun Violence
• Tampa Police Call For End To Gun Violence After Citywide Increase
• Escalating Gun Violence Prompts Law Enforcement To Get Creative
• Family, Police Take To Streets For Tips On Shooting Of 4-Year-Old