Durham residents gathered on Saturday for a vigil to remember lives lost to gun violence. It comes after a violent week in the city and a new public safety initiative to curb youth-related shootings.

This year alone, there have been 22 people shot in Durham, with several of them under 18.

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Latisha Facyson, was a parent who attended Saturday's vigil. She said she carries with her the memory of her son, Saquon, everywhere she goes. 

“Just seeing your child go into that ground. That’s a grief that will never go away,” Facyson said.

She shared his story during the vigil, describing how he was shot and killed in 2021 shortly after being released from prison. 

On Friday, Mayor Leo Williams announced a partnership between the city and the Violence Reduction Center at the University of Maryland. Williams said the center works with cities across the country that deal with similar violence issues.

“This center has proven results working with cities across the country because what they do, they go into those cities and they work with people on the ground,” Williams said on Friday.

Williams also announced the creation of street safety teams that are “community managed” and “community driven.” But Facyson says that’s not what the community needs. 

"We have to do more to catch our youth attention like opening and rec centers in all the areas," Facyson said.

Local activist Reverend Annette Love also expressed her disagreement with some of the strategies Williams presented, particularly the City’s partnership with the University of Maryland.

“We know what we need in our community, and you need to be in the community,” said Reverend Annette Love, who organized the vigil. “How are you going to help if you're not visible in the community? We need the city officials to show up, get from behind those desks.”

A city report released on Wednesday did note that crime was down in Durham in 2025 compared to 2024.

Williams was in attendance during the vigil. WRAL News asked:

  • Do you feel like you’re giving the people in this community ample time to voice what they feel like the community needs?
    • Do you feel like you’re actually listening and hearing what they’re saying?

      Williams told WRAL News the new plan is a framework for future action.

      “We are resource rick, but collaboration poor and this entire plan is about bringing everyone together to collaborate with one another and to have actionable outcomes,” Williams said.

      Williams also said he fully supports more recreation centers and resources for the youth, but says making them a reality requires more than just his efforts.

      As for the parents and organizers at the vigil, they say they will continue voicing their needs until they see a noticeable decline in violence. Many say they want leaders to speak directly with Durham’s youth, and to pour into recreation centers and other positive outlets for young people.