Community holds rally to fight violence

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Hamden community is coming together to fight violence in their neighborhood.

It comes after a deadly shooting over the weekend and the arrest of a juvenile who police say, pulled the trigger.

"We're gonna work hard to come up with an action plan."

It was a packed house of panicked people who've had enough of the violence in their Hamden neighborhood Tuesday. This was all while a heartbroken family sat at home preparing to say goodbye to their son.

"At age 22 life is just beginning, it's sad," said Betty Murray, committee organizer. "I had the opportunity to speak to the family at the press conference and there's nothing you can say. There's no take backs."

"I wasn't surprised there was a shooting in this neighborhood," said Kandance Murray.

Betty and her sister Kandace started a group months ago to take back the streets, in hopes of preventing a tragedy. However, on Saturday, 22-year-old James Dudley was shot and killed by a juvenile whom police say he knew.

The shooting on North Street was close to the Murray's house.

"We're back to back. It could've come through into my house and just the thought of my six-year-old daughter could've been outside playing or anything could've happened," Kandance said.

Just hours before Dudley was shot and killed, the Murray sisters walked door to door handing out flyers to discuss the violence and initiating change.

In the past, there were only about 12 to 16 people, including police. That was not the case Tuesday night.

"I'm 81 years old. I was born and raised in Hamden and I always loved Hamden and it was always a great town to live in," said John Pallotto. "Now, we're having so many problems in the area and I think it should come to a halt.

"We want to prevent anyone else's child from being in danger, anyone, even us coming home," Betty said. "We don't want to be in a war zone."

The Murray's hope is that the packed house is a sign that people are ready to work at making change in their neighborhood.