Church community reacts to neighborhood shooting

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - If you travel to 58th and Euclid Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri and you'll find St. Therese Little Flower Church, a well maintained vegetable garden, and the intersection of Kansas City's latest murder .

Father Ernie Davis has lead St. Therese Catholic Church for four years.

"The 63rd victim of violence in our city died here on our church door steps," said Davis.

The latest victim, 35-year-old Ron James was shot to death while sitting in a car Wednesday afternoon. It was a shooting that could be heard inside the church.

"We were able to be with the man and offer him prayer," said Davis.

In response to the shooting, Davis met with members of Communities Creating Opportunities (CCO) on Thursday afternoon to talk about solutions. The group organized a prayer vigil planned for Thursday night and talked about what needs to happen to breathe more life and hope into Kansas City's Blue Hills Neighborhood.

Jerry Jones is a community organizer for CCO. He said the city is neglecting the Blue Hills neighborhood.

"I think one of the things the city could do is stronger codes enforcement, making sure we're holding homeowners accountable," said Jones.

This community would also like to see more police officers on the streets, and more resources funneled into the Blue Hills neighborhood. Changes, they believe would make a big difference in the neighborhood.