Instead of destruction, these people will be gathering to pray for healing.

The first event will be Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the basketball court in Scoco Park in Weldon, just behind what was formerly The Lovely Store. It is an event called Healing the Community Prayer Vigil.

The second event is one Saturday and will simply be a silent march of prayer that begins at 11 a.m. at Weldon High School and ends at the housing projects in Weldon.

“I can visualize something like this bringing awareness to the community,” Weldon Police Chief Mark Macon said. “It can possibly bring about restoration for the community and assure that not only the victims are concerned but government officials and faith based organizations are concerned, not just those dealing with it firsthand.”

Macon hopes events like the ones over the weekend will lead to more discussions about the problem. The violence, he said, “Is shedding some bad spotlight and tarnishing the images of the community when other people are trying to build it up and have a safe haven.”

There are many issues to be discussed, Macon said. “It's nothing you can discuss in the short term. Any time you can reach out to the community and gather support it's a positive thing. When people come together when there are great problems and great concerns and discuss them openly that shows citizens are willing to take a stand and move for action.”

Kimberly D. Bracy is organizing the Friday event and knows the loss a murder brings. Her cousin, Kevin Jamar Davis, 18, was shot as an innocent bystander at a June party in the Medoc Community.

“Our goal is to partner with organizations, hosting activities, maybe work with the police department to offer personal safety, gang awareness.”

Bracy said newspapers and television news are full of reports of young black males being shot. “Thinking about my own children, I don't want that to be their future.”

By having the event in one of Edwards' stomping grounds sends a message that people in the community are standing up. “There's an erosion in our values system, no regard for human life.,” Bracy said. “In a lot of instances it shows people are hopeless, in complete despair. We're trying to have something with some positive impact. It's just sad. I hope people come out and pray.”

Pamela Taylor is planning Saturday's march. “When I heard what happened to Mr. Peterson, I didn't know what to think. I know that area has high pedestrian traffic. It kind of shook me up. I have a son and don't want our community to be like that, to feel like it's being held hostage.”

When she heard Tann, a Weldon High graduate, was shot and killed, she wanted to do something. “This will pretty much be a silent march. Our goal is to walk and pray. My focus is on the community itself. It's your community, you live here and we have an opportunity to stand for something we believe.”

Taylor is aware the march will go through the area Ewards, who is considered armed and dangerous, frequents. “We don't want that negative light shone on our community, we don't want our small town community riddled with violence.”

For more information on Friday's event email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information on Saturday's event call the Weldon library at 252-536-3837.