When Lorain police heard of a student bringing a gun into school, they found a loaded handgun in 18-year-old Codsh'e Berger's backpack.
According to their report, Berger said he wouldn't "snitch" on whoever the gun came from, but "he was carrying the firearm for self-protection because of the recent westside-southside shootings."
The report also said Berger claimed not to be involved with a gang, just wanted to protect himself. He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon.
"It's gang violence. But it's also a kind of neighborhood thing. You know, with south side westside," said Imam Paul Hasan, of the International Council for Urban Peace, Justice and Empowerment.
"I mean, he brought a gun to school like he did, loaded. Obviously, there was something fundamentally going on that he felt he had to do that," Hasan added.
We connected with Hasan and others just last Tuesday while on Lorain homes being shot at overnight- the shootings Berger was referring to when he said he needed protection.
One home was shot 57 times.
Nearly nothing escaped the gunfire, but the people inside. Luckily, no one was hurt.
The people who live around it wouldn't even go on camera.
"We are scared to go to sleep at night," said one neighbor.
All Lorain police have said is they believe that violence is tied to other crimes.
On Friday, a Lorain Lieutenant said they will not talk about the shootings because they are part of an active investigation.
Hasan said it's going to take more than police to tackle the violence and potential gang activity in Lorain. Especially now.
"I think we can get a handle on the violence taking place, with all of us working in concert together...you know pastors, activists, whoever you are, schools, parents. You know we have to come back out in the streets and challenge and reach our young people," he said.
Imam Paul Hasan is now working with his organization, the International Council for Urban Peace, Justice and Empowerment, and others to address the problem, and violence in general in Lorain, at a gang summit they're hosting next month at Lorain High School.
