Youth violence sparks discussions on anger management

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Over the weekend three teenagers were arrested in connection to deadly crimes.A 17-year-old was arrested for the death of 19-year-old, David Phelps, Jr.On Saturday, a 14-year-old was arrested after police said he crashed his grandmother’s stolen SUV into another truck, killing the driver who was 53-year-old, Terry Riggs.And another 14-year-old has been charged with murder after the shooting of 18-year-old girl, Kayla Goggins.

Those three acts of violence are a harrowing reminder that summers can be deadly for teens with too much time on their hands.

They’re also giving community leaders a chance to talk about self-control with the youth, in a week long program called ‘G.R.E.A.T’ (Gang Resistance Education and Training).

“How many of you have ever felt anger at one time or another?” asked IMPD Officer Marilyn Gurnell to a group of kids taking part in the department’s summer G.R.E.A.T program. “All of our hands should be up. Now what we need to do is learn how to control that.

“Miss Gurnell has taught us how to say, ‘No,’ and how to keep up your strength,” said Esa Sabatino, a 12-year-old in the training.

“Some people don’t know how to say, ‘No,’ and get pressured into saying, ‘Yes,’ all the time,” said 15-year-old, Jarell Motley. “They think just because they say, ‘No,’ then they’re going to be a punk or something like that.”

“It shows me not to use violence over the stuff that people do to me,” said 11-year-old, Brad Jones. “It show me to respect people.”

“They have to learn how to control themselves and if they have an issue with anyone, learn how to talk it out, talk it through (and) manage their anger to where no one gets hurt,” said Gurnell.

The group is mainly ages 12 to 15. If they graduate from it, they’re rewarded with a trip to Kings Island. After this week, an older age group comes in next week.