Shooting prompts calls for action

A weekend shooting on the Northeast Side that led to bullets peppering the home of an elderly resident ignited new calls this week for the city and police to take action against trending violence in that corner of the city.

A number of Northeast residents turned out at Tuesday's meeting of the city council to demand some sort of response.

That could take the form of increased police patrols or better street lighting, they said, but no matter what, something needs to be done.

"The bullets went through the home of a 95-year-old resident," Ginger Rye of Women for Change told the council. "The bullets shattered her window ... penetrated a hat she wears to church.

"Enough is enough. There is so much shooting going on on that side of town. We have to come together to do something about it."

Police say officers responded around 2:15 p.m. Feb. 9 to the area of North Robert A. Stalls Avenue and East Birch Street regarding a report of shots fired.

Officers determined the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Steven L. Moultrie of Carbondale, fired several shots at a vehicle occupied by three people. None of the occupants was struck by the gunfire.

On Tuesday, authorities obtained a Jackson County arrest warrant for Moultrie, charging him with aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of weapons by a felon. Bond has been set at $200,000. Moultrie is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact police.

Karriem Shariati said the elderly woman whose home was penetrated by bullets is his mother. He said this type of violence in Carbondale is not acceptable.

"I don't appreciate anyone shooting into my mother's home," he said.

Several other speakers took to the podium to address the council during the public comments portion of the meeting. Sheila Brown suggested youth on the Northeast Side don't have much to do, and that is turning some of them toward criminal activity. She suggested a youth center or activity center, among other possibilities.

"We need a way for the older kids to get jobs," she said.

The council was not in a position to take action Tuesday night, but some of its members sympathized with the issues being brought forth.

"When stray gunfire goes through your hat, that's a real problem," Councilman Adam Loos said.

Rye pleaded with the council to engage with the neighborhood in order to find solutions to the problem.

"Please, please, please do something," she said. "When the Northeast Side is a better place, the entire city is a better place."