Ladarius Blanks Obituary, Death; – The individual who lost their life in a triple shooting incident in Cordele on June 19 has been officially identified.
Chief of Police Jalon Heard has confirmed the victim to be 18-year-old Ladarius Blanks. Blanks was discovered lying in the street on the 700 block of South 12th Street. Authorities reported that two additional teenagers were also shot in the vicinity.
Residents and witnesses are now expressing the need for action regarding the youth. “There is a lack of activities for these children. This is the reason for the chaos and issues occurring here. It is illogical, and my heart aches for my city. I am Cordele,” stated Rashida Booker-Fields, a local resident.
“I was raised in the house right behind me where this incident took place. This could have easily been me, one of my siblings, or one of my older cousins,” remarked Davontae Hunt, a candidate for Cordele City Commission Ward 2.
On Thursday evening, 18-year-old Ladarius Blanks was found lying in the street. Police indicated that two other teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, were also shot in the same location.
“All evidence suggests that this was not a random act. I suspect it may be gang-related, but we are still in the process of investigating. Therefore, I cannot definitively state that at this moment, but our investigation is leaning towards gang involvement,” Chief Heard commented.
Currently, community members are urging young people to refrain from using firearms and for parents to become more engaged in their children’s lives to help keep them off the streets. “We need to demonstrate to our children that they have much more to offer because it begins with us. Our actions influence our children’s responses,” Hunt expressed.
“It all begins at home. It reflects back on our city. ‘We have nothing to do.’ Well, we can create opportunities, go on picnics, take them to the park. Engage in positive activities to instill positivity in these children’s minds,” Fields added. Chief Heard noted that law enforcement has observed an uptick in juvenile crime as the summer season approaches.
“We have seen an increase in auto break-ins and
