Precious Lives

Stories about kids, guns and how to stop the violence. Precious Lives, created by 371 Productions, is a 2-year, 100-part weekly radio series about gun violence and young people in the Milwaukee area. The series applies a public health lens to each story to help listeners understand the full scope of the problem: who are the victims and the shooters; how are the weapons obtained; and what can we change about the environment that contributes to violence in Milwaukee?

#006 Precious Lives: Virtually Mourning Darius Simmons

WUWM 89.7 FM

Published February 17, 2015 at 10:54 AM CST

Pierre Johnson Facebook messages his friend Darius Simmons who was shot and killed in May 2012.

In May of 2012, 13-year-old Darius Simmons was shot outside of his house by his 76-year-old white neighbor.

16-year-old Pierre Johnson attends the Holton Youth and Family Center, where Darius used to spend time after school. Pierre keeps Darius’ memory alive on Facebook.

The Holton Youth Center provides a safe haven for kids and teens, which the staff says help curb neighborhood violence. To learn about Holton Youth Center’s upcoming programs and other ways to participate, visit PreciousLivesProject.org.

Corresponding Content:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Family, friends mourn the death of Darius Simmons

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - John Henry Spooner sentenced to life in prison for killing unarmed teen