Jackson Ward Association reacts to recent homicide

From WWBT NBC12:

Nathan Ratigan was shot and killed at a birthday party in Jackson Ward Sunday morning. Leaders in Jackson Ward say they plan to stay in constant contact with the police department to keep this from happening again.

Association Vice President, Leighton Powell says neighbors should be mindful of the heavy foot traffic. “You have to be very careful,” said Powell. “We are an urban neighborhood downtown. There are a lot of different entities and groups in the mix. You have kids coming and going all hours of the day and night.

“Our prayers go out to the family of the young man killed,” Powell added. “It’s shocking to hear about something like that in our neighborhood.” Powell says she and other leaders on the board continue to work closely with police especially when a crime this devastating hits this close to home. The homicide has also rocked the VCU community. Jess Rawls received a text alert-one of many becoming all too familiar.