DES MOINES, Iowa — A string of recent shooting incidents in Des Moines left four people dead and several others injured. Now, one community leader is sounding the alarm.
Darnell Loatman, founder and CEO of FOCUSS Inc., leads the organization's crisis response team.
Loatman says they've been called to multiple shootings in recent weeks, some in the middle of the night, to support struggling members of the community.
"We go into these areas and often you don't know what's going to happen in these areas," Loatman told Local 5. "You're like that bridge, so it doesn't become confrontational, and you can help with resources at the time."
As FOCUSS continues its response and intervention efforts, Loatman hopes concerned residents view recent events not as an expectation, but an opportunity for change.
This includes more investment in mental health resources.
"How can we predict it? You can minimize it, you can slow it down... we have to address mental health. I mean, I'm sorry, we have to address it, and we have to address it early," Loatman said.
FOCUSS always welcomes members of the community who would like to get involved with their outreach efforts. To learn more and contact the organization, click here.