Alfonso Solis channeled his personal loss into a mission for gun safety, launching family-focused Send Me DFW courses to combat gun violence.
MESQUITE, Texas — What motivates Alfonso Solis is the value of life.
At 29 years old, Solis’ wife suddenly died due to health reasons just 11 days after giving birth to their daughter.
“I went through a very painful experience in my youth, and I turned that pain into passion,” Solis said. “That passion became purpose, and that purpose became a mission.”
His mission is to save lives. Solis started the organization, SendMeDFW. It’s an anti-gun violence prevention course for families.
His Mesquite community has been in mourning after two shootings claimed the lives of two teens.
“It’s two too many,” he said. “You know, these kids are, they’re full of life. It’s a beautiful world out there. And you know, something, something’s got to change.”
Early Monday morning, Mesquite police responded to a home on Rusk Drive after an adult who was inside heard gunshots in a bedroom. Police said the adult found a 15 and 16-year-old injured. According to police, the 16-year-old who lived at the home died. The 15-year-old remains in the hospital.
Thursday, police said a 15-year-old boy shot two other teens, including 16-year-old Brandon McGhee, who died from his injuries.
“My brother was a happy soul, very happy, like he cheered up everybody,” said Shatoria McGhee, Brandon’s sister.
Mesquite police told WFAA that “having open communication and trust between adults and young people is critical. Also, reporting any type of suspicious activity, whether it’s behavior, social media posts, or changes in a young person’s demeanor, it is important to speak up. Early intervention can be key, and residents are encouraged to contact the police department with concerns.”
“How do you talk to your 4-year-old about guns?” Solis said “How do you address guns and teenagers’ mental health and firearms? These are conversations that need to be had.”
He said these conversations should happen early. “When they’re big enough to pull the trigger,” said Solis. “The community should step up. You know, we can do something. We can be that uncle. We can be that friend. We can be that guiding light for our young, particularly young men.”
The investigation into both shootings is still ongoing.
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