Community members hope to make a change when it comes to gun violence in Duke City.

The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has reported 97 homicide victims so far in 2021. It is the deadliest year for the city on record.

“I don’t know what will fix this problem. How to fix this epidemic?” Angel Alire, a gun violence advocate, said.

The last fatal shootings took place on Sunday, November 6.

DPA officers from the northeast were dispatched at 12:42 am to the intersection of Menaul Boulevard and University Boulevard NE. Police said they found a person who had been shot in the head.

The victim was taken to the University of New Mexico hospital and was later found to have no brain activity.

“Albuquerque has truly been so deeply affected by gun violence, and we see it in the numbers that appear today,” said Emily Ebersol, another anti-gun violence activist.

At 12:50 a.m., Southeastern DPA officers responded to a shooting at the Adam Food Market, located on Central Avenue.

Police said two men were found with gunshot wounds. One person died at the scene, while the other was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Alire said she lives nearby.

“It’s just scary,” Alire said. “It’s almost like hearing the sound of gunshots or sirens, it brings you back in time.”

Alire’s son, Devon Heyborne, was shot and killed last April.

She now spends her time raising awareness of the issue, with efforts like the Gun Violence Memorial Project. The project is made up of personal family items such as photos and other memorabilia.

The Gun Violence Memorial Project includes four houses, each built with 700 glass bricks, a reference to the number of people killed in the United States each week.

The items will be delivered to the National Building Museum for a memorial.

Alire is also passionate about educating younger generations about the dangers of firearms.

“The generation of children these days is hiding behind their guns and guns, and I don’t think many of them realize the purpose of pulling out a gun and using it,” Alire said.

Ebersol said talking to families affected by gun violence is often the hardest part when collecting memories.

“Nothing can really prepare you to sit down with your family, to hear each and every one of the stories,” Ebersol said. “Each is so unique and so heartbreaking in itself.”

However, she knows people like Alire need to be heard.

“I have to be his voice now, and I couldn’t protect him, but I won’t let his life be wasted,” Alire said.

Both shootings are under investigation.

Albuquerque Police do not believe the incidents are related at this time.