June 4, 2026

Contact:
Barry Johnson
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 609-414-8890

MEDIA ADVISORY

House Minority Leader Dukes and State Sen. Richardson to Join End Community Violence Now, Operation West Laurel for Press Conference Addressing Recent Gun Violence in Sussex County Delaware

In commemoration of Gun Violence Awareness Day, organizers will also unveil new community gardens and murals honoring two Laurel High School students whose lives were tragically lost to gun violence

LAUREL — End Community Violence Now (ECVN) and Operation West Laurel (OWL) have announced that at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5, they will host a press conference on National Gun Violence Awareness Day with leaders across Delaware to outline a path forward following the increase in violence in communities throughout the state. The press conference will take place at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Public Safety Building, 1110 W. 6th Street, Laurel, DE 19956.

Confirmed speakers include: ECVN Executive Director Lauren Footman; OWL co-founder and Laurel High School CTE teacher Amy Handy; Laurel Mayor Carlos Oliveras; State Representative and House Minority Leader Tim Dukes; State Senator Bryant L. Richardson; Delaware Department of Justice Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan; and Vaughn Bond, Deputy Secretary for Safety and Homeland Security and the Interim Director of Delaware’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

At the press conference, in commemoration of June 5 – 7, 2026 being Wear Orange Weekend and June being Gun Violence Awareness Month, organizers will unveil new community gardens and murals honoring Corey Mumford and Kylee Robinson, two Laurel High School seniors who tragically lost their lives in 2023 at the age of 18.

The deaths of Robinson and Mumford led to the creation of Operation West Laurel and later The Sussex County Peace and Prosperity Project. Last July, ECVN and OWL received a $93,000 grant from Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) to launch the Sussex County Peace and Prosperity Project and implement Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Strategies such as prioritizing physical improvements that directly address environmental contributors to violence. The vision is to create vibrant, welcoming, and well-

maintained gathering places that reflect the pride and spirit of the community. Through community beautification events, building of community gardens, and resident-designed public art, the initiative hopes to facilitate community engagement, and healing.

Additionally, on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Basketball Courts on Webb Avenue in Laurel, DE, OWL will host their annual Balling for God event in conjunction with the Wear Orange campaign to take a stand against gun violence. Attendees will be able to enjoy free food, music, face painting, games, interactive activities, and more. The basketball tournament’s age brackets include 6-8 year olds, 9-11 year olds, 12-14 year olds, and 15-18 year olds. Participants can sign up to participate and learn more by contacting Amy Handy at [email protected].

Media interested in attending the press conference must RSVP in advance by emailing Barry Johnson at [email protected].

 

WHAT: End Community Violence Now, Operation West Laurel to Host Press Conference Addressing Recent Gun Violence in Sussex County Delaware

WHO:

Lauren Footman, executive director, End Community Violence Now;

Amy Handy, Co-founder of Operation West Laurel and Laurel High School CTE teacher;

Laurel Mayor Carlos Oliveras;

State Representative and House Minority Leader Tim Dukes;

State Senator Bryant L. Richardson;

Delaware Department of Justice Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan; and

Vaughn Bond, Deputy Secretary for Safety and Homeland Security and the Interim Director of Delaware’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety

WHERE: Paul Laurence Dunbar Public Safety Building, 1110 W. 6th Street, Laurel, DE 19956

WHEN: 11 a.m. Friday, June 5

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End Community Violence Now (ECVN) is the state of Delaware’s community-based Office of Violence Prevention. This public-private partnership seeks to break the cycle of violence through coordinated and sustained investments in evidence-based programs. This includes community engagement and education campaigns, policy advocacy, stakeholder strategy, as well as offering technical assistance and grant-making support to local organizations on the ground doing the difficult, but necessary work. ECVN envisions a future where all Delawareans are safe from the rising threat of gun violence.