Unfortunately in Riviera Beach, it seems like everyone knows someone who's been caught in the cross hairs.
Sunday afternoon that trend continued, after a 17-year-old was shot and killed in broad daylight near West 30th street.
“Life hadn't even started yet for him,” says resident Gregory Pierce, who says he knew the victim. “When I found out, it hurt me and my old lady so bad. We wanted to cry.”
Gregory and his sister Margaret have lived on the same block in Riviera for decades, and they're both fed up.
“When I go hear shooting…or someone come through here speeding, I grab everything and run in the house,” Gregory says. “Because I don't know what's coming behind it next.”
His sister agrees.
“Half of them around here walk around with guns in their pockets and all that,” Margaret says.“You know, it’s just terrible. I stay in my house”
In the wake of recent violence over the last few months,city leaders have proposed several initiatives, from a gun buyback program to youth mentoring.
And on Sunday, Mayor Thomas Masters told NewsChannel 5 he would be open to the federal government coming in.
Both Gregory and Margaret say whatever direction the city goes, change starts with younger people, as many of them have been caught on both ends of the gun.
These life long residents say it's the key to turning things around in a city they still love.
“It’s the young folks that's carrying on like they want to be grown, and they're not grown yet,” Margaret says.
“This not no game where you get on the game and just shoot people,” Gregory adds.“This is reality. This is real!”
We are still waiting for the name of that 17-year-old.
In the meantime, if you have any information on Sunday’s incident, you're asked to call police.