A community meeting to discuss ways to stem violence in Grand Rapids is set for Friday morning.
The meeting, part of the "Stop It!" effort created in the wake of several homicides in Grand Rapids, will be held at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church and is scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
There have been nine homicides in Grand Rapids since Dec. 14, 2012. Three were domestic incidents. In the most recent, the Monday death of Anthony Tompkins, police arrested Ali Sharif Gray Tuesday.
The other five -- the shooting deaths of Robyn Lyn Griggs-Johnson, Eve'Vana Galloway, Mahdi Hayes, Jason Cherry and Greg Woods Jr. -- remain unsolved.
The meeting aims to "encourage collaboration, spur dialogue, and facilitate change" to decrease violence, according to a release from the organization.
Organizations working to stop violence, individuals with ideas to stop violence or who are working with groups, and community partners are welcome.
Attendees are asked to fill out a form provided by Stop It! and bring it to the meeting.
Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
513 Henry Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids, MI.
