Wilson rally gathers those against violence

The event comes days after a fourth person was arrested in the killing of Devon Mondrell Deberry, 30, who was found dead inside a Byerly Drive home on Nov. 5.

“The young man that was killed last week here in Wilson was a former classmate of ours,” said Jocelyn Drawhorn, who helped organize the rally and knew Deberry.

Sunday's event was at least the second time this year that community members rallied around the death of a young person. In July, hundreds gathered in front of the courthouse after bullets were fired into a Parkview Street home, killing Kamari Jones, 7.

Six people were arrested in connection with his murder.

Kason Cheeks, who also helped organize Sunday’s event, said the rally was to help connect people in the community with those who want to see change.

“We wanted to provide a platform for the community to hear each other's voices,” he said.

Jairod Barnes, a local middle school teacher, said he sees first-hand how violence affects a community.

“The people that commit the crimes are cousins, relatives, sisters and brothers of the kids I teach,” he said.

Cheeks said Sunday’s rally will be the catalyst to something much bigger.

Many in attendance said they'll support the next event.

“I’m going to call him tonight, because the next meeting he has, I’m going to do whatever I can do,” Barnes said.