UNT behavior expert assesses trends in deadly gun violence involving young suspects

FORT WORTH, Texas. Vasante Settles and her family never expected to experience the grief they now live with after a very unexpected death.

Dallas’ mother encourages other people to do all they can to protect their children from gun violence. She just lost her son.

“Protect your children at all costs,” Settles said. “You cannot return them. I will never see my son again.”

Settles’ son died after an argument involving two other families got out of hand and escalated into a gunfight. According to police, her son, 11-year-old De’Ewan McFall, was an innocent bystander. The shooting took place at the Signature at Southern Oaks Apartments. The police arrested a 14-year-old girl in connection with his death.

The officers seized the weapon that took the boy’s life. This left his entire family devastated, especially since he had nothing to do with the quarrel going on in the complex.

“Stop killing each other. I never thought that I would stand here and do this for one of my children,” said Lois Williams, the boy’s grandmother.

Dr. Scott Walters is a professor at the University of North Texas. He is one of the UNT Health Behavior Experts and is well versed in conflict resolution.

He believes that access to guns is just one factor in what’s going on when it comes to the number of shootings across the country.

“I am very sad,” Walters said.

Walters shared his thoughts on what appears to be an upsurge across the country: children using guns to resolve their conflicts.

“In our modern society, children are more influenced by the mere availability of weapons. So if the child is angry, as we were all children, and made decisions in this way, then the most direct way to resolve the situation is with a weapon. “Just like we were and when we were kids, I think kids need to be taught to think through steps, how to approach a situation the right way, and what are the steps to de-escalate that situation and get an outcome that I like.” “After all, easy access to a weapon can also affect how a child resolves a conflict.”

In another case being investigated by the Fort Worth Police Department, family and friends mourn the death of boxing trainer Joe Guzman.

Arturo Ortega couldn’t believe it when he found out that Guzmán was dead. He had known the coach all his life and appreciated the life changing advice he received from him.

“He was there when I was born,” Ortega said. “So he’s been like a friend to you ever since.”

A 60-year-old man was fatally shot during an argument at his home. Fort Worth police described the suspect as a minor family member.

Details of what caused the shooting are yet to be ascertained. According to police, the young family member is in jail.

Walters also teaches you how to identify anger issues.

“One thing I like to use is to get the child to identify what is going on and how he is feeling. So instead of just being upset, people realize they are angry,” Walters said.

Walters believes conflict resolution training has never been more important, especially after the fatal shooting in North Texas involving young suspects.