The Problem
Homicides and shootings have been on the rise for years in Richmond. In 2014, there were 38 people killed. Ten years later, in 2024, there were 53 murders. And in 2025, we have seen gun violence shake our neighborhoods and community.
Research conducted by the National Network for Safe Communities shows that in cities with high violence rates, there are actually very few people involved in homicides and shootings. Those involved in violence are connected to each other through groups. These groups typically only make up half a percent of a city’s population, but are involved in as much as 70 percent of its homicide and gun violence.
Click here to watch our 2025 Nehemiah Action Gun Violence Portion, which provides more information about this issue.
Our Solution
The implementation of a proven evidence-based gun violence intervention program - either Group Violence Intervention (GVI) or Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) - is our proposed solution to this urgent issue. Such programs have been implemented in dozens of cities nationwide and have been proven to cut homicides in half. Baltimore, MD is a current success story - experiencing a 50 year low in homicides due to the implementation of GVRS.
These programs bring to bear a three-pronged approach to anti violence, in which community members join together with law enforcement and social service providers to communicate with active street groups. Community members deliver a credible moral message against violence, and law enforcement administers notice of consequences involved in continuing group violence. Social service providers, such as social workers and faith leaders, make a genuine offer of help for those who want it.
These programs essentially create a social pressure that deters violence and provides a supported path for those who want to change.
Photos from our Gun Violence Press Conference in March 2022
Issue Campaign History
In June 2020, we started calling upon Mayor Stoney to bring GVI to our city. However, the Mayor refused. Instead, he developed a hybrid gun violence intervention framework. While there were many good elements to it, nothing resembled an actual intervention that could stop the current ongoing violence.
In the summer of 2022, because of our persistence, our ally REAL LIFE received funding from the state and US Attorney’s Office to implement GVI in Richmond, but Mayor Stoney refused to even allow the city to participate. REAL LIFE moved on to Hopewell, where GVI has been implemented, resulting in a 45% reduction in shootings and homicides since its implementation in June of 2023..
At our Nehemiah Action 2024, mayoral candidates attended and committed to attend our GVI Roundtable on May 20th, where we educated them about this proven solution. And at our Mayoral Candidates Forum in August of 2024, then candidate Avula said this:
”GVI is a phenomenal evidence-based practice. You guys have done the work, you’ve done the research for us. What we’ve seen happen in Hopewell … leading to a 40% reduction in violent crime - that tells the story. That is the kind of work we should be doing here in Richmond.” (Click here to watch this clip)
After Mayor Danny Avula was elected, we called for his implementation of either of these programs. And at our Nehemiah Action 2025, Avula committed to beginning the procurement process for implementing Gun Violence Reduction Strategy. We will continue to hold the city accountable to implementing this program.
VIDEOS ON OUR GUN VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN
Click here to watch the Gun Violence portion of our Nehemiah Action 2025.
Click here to watch the Gun Violence portion of our Nehemiah Action 2024.
Click here to watch the Gun Violence portion of our Nehemiah Action 2023.
Click here to watch the entire video footage of our Gun Violence Mini-Action, February 2022.
Click here to watch our Gun Violence Roundtable in October 2021.
Click here to watch a video we put together in June of 2021, documenting our Gun Violence Campaign.