Vigil of song held in New Haven neighborhood

New Haven, Connecticut (WTNH) - The shooting of a child on New Haven's streets has angered many. Others are thinking about getting out of the city.

Dozens lifted their voices Wednesday evening to sing on Dixwell Avenue after an 11-year-old boy was caught in the crossfire of a neighborhood dispute while leaving a neighborhood market Tuesday.

“This is a tragedy. This is terrible,” said Tyroida James of New Haven. “My heart is broken for this child.""

Darlene Rodes' 8-year-old grandson Ethan is leaving for Virginia Thursday after a near miss of his own recently. He was shot in the leg with a bb gun while riding his bike.

“He hadn't been out the house 15 seconds. His mother hears this blood curdling scream,” Rodes tells News 8. “Runs to the door and said, ‘Mommy, something stung my shoulder.’ She looks and sees the blood coming down his shirt."

“I never went through the experience like that before,” Ethan Washington explained. “And I was just scared. I thought it might have been a real gun.”

Police say they are increasing patrols in the Dixwell Avenue and Division Street area, but the real work has to be done neighbor to neighbor in the community.

Community organizer Reverend Scott Marks couldn't agree more.

“Police shouldn’t have to be the ones to patrol. We should be letting them know. ‘Come over here. Here's where it is.’ And if there are folks, we should be able to help them."