Experts advise healthy lines of communication after gang fascination at Discovery is revealed

 

Todd Brown was fatally shot at Discovery Middle School Feb. 5

The aftershocks are still impacting students at Discovery Middle School nearly a week after 14-year-old Todd Brown was fatally shot, allegedly by another 14-year-old student. 

Madison City Police Chief Larry Muncey told the public that the victim and the shooter, both ninth graders, were among a handful of Discovery students trying to align themselves with a national gang.

In response to the chief's announcement, Brown's family released a statement that said they didn't believe Todd had any interest or involvement in gang activity.  

Even so, it's a tough time for Madison students and their parents.  Many thought the small community, located just west of Huntsville, was safe from gangs and the violence associated with them.

Connie Carnes is a Huntsville counselor. As horrific as it is, she believes the tragedy provides an opportunity for parents to open the lines of communication with their kids. 

For parents struggling with how to discuss the details of the case, including gang issues, with their children, Carnes recommends the following:

• Try to get some quiet focused time to follow up with what they heard the children talking about in order to get more details.
• Ask open-ended questions about the child's feelings and thoughts, and allow the child to do most of the talking.
• Learn how and where the children got their information about gangs, and learn whether or not they have any personal experience or personally know of any incidents. (Depending on the information, there may be a need to report it to the authorities.)
• Encourage children to be alert, but not frightened, and to talk to the parent about any gang related behaviors they may see, or any gang related behaviors they may hear, or learn about through electronic media.

Besides having worked as a licensed counselor, Carnes is currently the executive director of Huntsville's HEALS, Inc., and previously worked with the National Children's Advocacy Center. She wants parent to know opening the lines of communication can be therapeutic for children and adults.  

Brown's alleged killer remains in custody at a Huntsville juvenile detention center.  A judge is expected to decide whether or not he will be charged as a juvenile or adult next week.

For more information on improving family communications, click here.  Madison City School administrators have posted resources for parents on its Web site, including how to help your child cope with the death of a friend and talking to your kids about violence.  For details on the deadly shooting, click here.