Town of Laurel to honor victims, renew fight against gun violence

Community leaders, elected officials, advocates, law enforcement representatives, educators, faith leaders and residents gathered in Laurel last Friday to mark Gun Violence Awareness Month and reaffirm a shared commitment to reducing violence and creating safer neighborhoods throughout Delaware. The event, organized by Operation West Laurel in partnership with End Community Violence Now and other community organizations, highlighted both the progress made since a series of tragedies shook the town and the work that remains ahead.

For many in attendance, the gathering carried special significance. The murders of Laurel High School students Corey Mumford and Kylee Robinson in 2023 left the community grieving and searching for answers. Community leaders said those losses became a catalyst for action, leading to the formation of Operation West Laurel and a renewed focus on violence prevention efforts in Sussex County.

Amy Handy, host of the event and a leader of Operation West Laurel, reflected on how the community responded in the aftermath of the deaths. “We refused to accept that violence would become our story,” Handy said as she described the partnerships that have developed over the past two years.

Those partnerships have resulted in programs designed to support young people and address some of the underlying causes of violence. Organizers pointed to initiatives including Project Rise for at-risk young men, the SOAR program for children, summer opportunities for youth and a series of community gardens intended to serve as symbols of healing and investment in the neighborhood.

Laurel Mayor Carlos Oliveras praised residents and organizations that have dedicated themselves to improving the town. He emphasized that addressing gun violence requires cooperation across every sector of the community.

“Every person deserves to feel safe in their home, at school, at work and in their community,” Oliveras said. “Each of us has a role to play in creating a safer future.”

Several speakers noted that while violence statistics may fluctuate, the impact of a single homicide extends far beyond the immediate victim, affecting families, neighborhoods and entire communities for years.

State Sen. Bryant Richardson told attendees that lasting solutions require more than government programs and public policy. Drawing on historical references and his personal faith, Richardson said communities must remain spiritually grounded as they confront violence.

“The older I get, the more I know that our dependence has to be on God,” Richardson said, referencing the Revolutionary War-era phrase “An Appeal to Heaven.” Richardson said prayer for families, individuals and communities remains an important part of the effort to reduce violence and strengthen neighborhoods.

He praised local leaders, law enforcement and volunteers for remaining united in the face of difficult challenges and encouraged residents to continue working together until meaningful change is achieved.

State Rep. Tim Dukes delivered some of the day’s most personal remarks, reflecting on the impact the murders of Corey Mumford and Kylee Robinson had on Laurel. Dukes said he attended Corey’s funeral and has often reflected on the loss of both young people.

“There have been murders in the past, but there was something about Corey’s death that shook us to the core,” Dukes said.

Dukes recalled watching Mumford compete on the basketball court and spoke about the promise both teenagers represented. He said their deaths highlighted the need for continued community engagement and stronger efforts to address violence before it occurs.

Vaughn Bond, deputy secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security and interim director of the Delaware Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, delivered an impassioned address that combined the perspective of a longtime law enforcement officer with the urgency of a community advocate.

Bond, who spent three decades with the New Castle County Police Department, said the emotional toll of gun violence never diminishes regardless of how many cases an officer encounters. He described gun violence as a crisis that leaves a trail of destruction through families, neighborhoods and entire communities.

While recognizing memorial efforts such as murals, community gardens and remembrance events honoring victims, Bond argued that society should be focused on preventing tragedies rather than continually memorializing them. “Kylie and Corey, along with many, many others, should be here today,” Bond said. “They should be here today. But they’re not.”

Bond challenged policymakers and community leaders to prioritize investments in youth programs, after-school activities, mentoring opportunities and other preventive measures. He questioned why resources often become available only after tragedy strikes and urged continued support for grassroots organizations working directly in affected communities.

He also defended the importance of sustaining Delaware’s violence prevention efforts even as homicide numbers have declined in recent years. Progress, he said, should not be mistaken for victory. “Until you get to the point of zero homicides, zero senseless deaths, zero suicides, there’s work to be done,” Bond said.

Drawing from his experience as a homicide investigator, Bond described the lasting memories of notifying families that a loved one had been killed. Those experiences, he said, reinforce the need for communities to remain vigilant and proactive. “It’s not just for the month of June,” Bond said. “It’s 365 days a year. You have to be persistent.”

State Rep. Tim Dukes spoke emotionally about the deaths of Mumford and Robinson, describing how their losses affected the community. He recalled attending funerals and continuing to think about both young people long after their deaths.

Dukes also pointed to the practical work being done by Operation West Laurel, noting that he recently joined members of the organization and local youth in a community cleanup effort. He said such activities demonstrate that violence prevention is about more than responding to crime after it occurs. It is also about building pride, strengthening neighborhoods and creating positive opportunities for young people. Dukes praised the organization for moving beyond discussion and taking direct action to improve the community.

He recalled keeping photographs of both Mumford and Robinson in his vehicle as a reminder of the lives lost and the responsibility shared by public officials and residents alike to seek solutions. Dukes said the deaths continue to weigh heavily on him and serve as motivation to support efforts aimed at reducing violence and supporting affected families.

Dan Logan, chief deputy attorney general for the Delaware Department of Justice, encouraged attendees to continue serving as advocates for change. Referencing the national “Wear Orange” movement that honors victims of gun violence, Logan compared community members to torchbearers carrying forward hope and determination. “You carry the fire,” Logan told attendees. “The fire is the warmth. The fire is the light.”

Dr. Lauren Footman, executive director of End Community Violence Now, said one of the organization’s goals is ensuring that resources reach every corner of Delaware, including communities south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. She emphasized the importance of addressing systemic challenges that contribute to violence, including access to education, employment opportunities and mental health services.

Footman said conversations with the family of Corey Mumford helped shape the organization’s mission. “How do we keep Corey’s memory alive?” she recalled asking Corey’s mother. The answer, she said, was simple, “to prevent another family from experiencing the same tragedy.”

A highlight of the event was the unveiling of memorial murals honoring Mumford and Robinson. Organizers announced that the murals, created by Chester, Pa. artist Tucker Rodkey, will be displayed at Laurel High School, where both students attended classes before their deaths.

Operation West Laurel is also creating a Peace Garden at Laurel High School and additional gardens near the Paul Laurence Dunbar Public Safety Building and New Zion Church. Organizers said the projects are intended to provide visible reminders of healing, remembrance and hope.

As the ceremony concluded, attendees were invited to view the developing gardens, which organizers described as symbols of a community determined not to be defined by violence but by resilience, unity and action. Throughout the event, speakers repeatedly returned to a common theme: honoring those lost by working to ensure fewer families experience similar heartbreak in the future.