LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY) -- Since the beginning of this year, 18 people have died as a result of gun violence here in Lafayette. The most recent shootings this past weekend has led civil rights activist and president of the Lafayette's NAACP Chapter to pen an open letter addressing gun violence in the Hub City.

In the call to action, NAACP Lafayette Branch President Ravis K. Martinez said gun violence in Lafayette is an epidemic that needs a collaborative plan for a solution.

Martinez said there are strategies and plans conducive to solutions, and one he proposes is having a crime summit.

He said this would consist of bringing stakeholders, leaders in both public safety and government as well as religious and philosophical partners together, as a way to address the issue and find common ground on solutions. The issue, he says, is rooted in poverty, lack of educational resources, mental health and economic disparity.

"This crime is affecting our ability to attract businesses that keep businesses here, to keep families here. So where we want to raise our kids in an environment that's, of course, safe and conducive to do so," he said.

Since last year, Lafayette has seen a decrease in homicides from a recorded 29 in 2023 to 18 as of now.

Martinez said this isn't just a Lafayette Parish issue, nor is it something that can be solved in a day. However over time working collaboratively, he said he's comfortable and confident Lafayette has the necessary people to come up with solutions.

"This is about saving our future. This is about saving our community. This is about saving our industry. This is about saving life," he said.

Martinez said he's asking everyone to take a serious look at where we are and what the community can do in a capacity to navigate this issue.

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