After JCPS student killed we sought ways to make Chickasaw Park safer
- koohmar3
- Sep 2, 2023
- 2 min read
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
Chaos erupted on Saturday night when two people were killed and four others were injured in a shooting at Chickasaw Park.
The two killed at the park were identified as 28-year-old Deaji Goodman and 17-year-old David Huff. Those who knew them are heartbroken.
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“All of our kids knew David, and it's really hard for them,” said Metro Councilman Kumar Rashad, District 3. “He was funny. He was energetic. He was really smart.”
Rashad was Huff's mentor in the Men of Quality Youth Mentoring Program. Rashad said Huff's death has had a big impact on those who loved and cared about him.
“We usually have a student, usually two sometimes that die like every year, get killed every year in one form or fashion, and it never gets easier. It always gets hard,” Rashad said.
Sarah Wolff, the director of advocacy and programs for Olmsted Parks Conservancy, said more must be done to promote peace in the metro and to ensure more lives aren't lost.
“In general parks, they should always be safe spaces and they usually are. I think it's part of a larger issue that's going on right now in our city,” Wolff said.
However, Wolff said steps can be taken now to improve safety. She says there are plans to replace lights near the tennis court at Chickasaw Park. The group is advocating for more funding for additional lights and to start a Park Ambassador Program to build relationships and ensure safety for park users.
“There needs to be more of a village and community partnerships,” Wolff said.
Unity is something Rashad says is needed now more than ever as the community continues to wrap its arms around families in mourning.
“We just want them to know there is love, and we do have love to share and to give for them for whatever they need,” Rashad said.
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