Detroit keeps losing pieces of future to gun violence. I know pain all too well. | Opinion

As a 22-year-old native Detroiter, I have seen and felt the pain of gun violence far too often, and the recent tragic death of Jordan Thornhill, a bright young man with a promising future, has struck a deep chord within me.

Jordan, a recent graduate of Michigan State University, an alum of Renaissance High School, a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a brother and a son and a friend to many. He deserves to still be here with us today. 

He was shot and killed at a July 5 party on Cherry Lawn Street near Wyoming and Fenkell avenues, one of several deadly incidents during the Fourth of July weekend.

More:'It crushed us': Detroit community rebuilds after deadly block party mass shooting

Losing Jordan feels like losing a piece of our city's future. He embodied the hopes and dreams that many of us hold, striving to continue a legacy, creating his own, and contributing positively to our community. His senseless death is a painful reminder of the ongoing violence that plagues our city and steals away our brightest lights. 

I know this pain all too well.

I lost my brother, Darnell Young, to gun violence in 2023 and the wound is still fresh. Frankly, grief never really goes away; it just becomes a part of who you are.

More:Detroit police announce block party crackdown after shooting that kills 2, injures 19

Every time another life is cut short, it reopens that wound, reminding me of the fragility of life in a city we love so dearly. And unfortunately, you can’t escape the trauma because when you forget the pain, you feel guilty for becoming numb. 

Detroit is a beautiful city, rich in culture and resilience. But it is hard to see that beauty when it feels like we are constantly mourning. We are tired of the vigils, the tears and the unanswered questions. I am tired of seeing our friends and family become hashtags and headlines. 

The violence in our city has no filter. No age, gender or social status shields you from its brutality. There are many similarities between Jordan and the rest of the promising youths of our city. We think of him, and the chilling phrase “that could have been me,” haunts us.

More:Community unites around call to end gun violence in wake of block party mass shooting

Now we are reluctant to go outside and engage in our community. I question, when did Detroit become Gotham City? Who is going to save us? Are we capable of saving ourselves? 

Jordan's death should not be in vain. We need to come together as a community and demand change. We need better resources, more support for our young people and a commitment from our leaders to tackle this violence head-on. 

As I look around my city, I still see so much potential. We are strong, we are resilient and we are capable of incredible things. But we need peace to fully realize that potential. I beg us to please stop burying our future. 

To Jordan's family and friends, I offer my deepest condolences and love. Your pain is our pain. Detroit, let us honor Jordan, Darnell and all those we have lost, by working toward a Detroit where no more lives are needlessly snatched by gun violence. 

Detroit, today we begin to heal together. Let us turn our pain into action and our grief into a catalyst for change. 

Trinity Jones is a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University. She plans to study law. But until law school, she is social media editor for Detroit's Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship.