When the bullets started to fly in a northeast Franklinton neighborhood on Easter Sunday, there were dozens or more witnesses to the bloodshed. Five people were shot, and two are dead: 24-year-old Ricardo Fox and 13-year-old De'Lijawon Magee. Their obituaries are in today's paper.

This was not an isolated incident. In December, a pair of shootings was also attributed to gang violence. Fortunately, no one died in that incident, but there was blood and violence. The gangs that roam the streets of Franklinton - Iced Out and Black Rag - are made up of young black males in their teens and 20s, according to the Franklinton Police Department. They both have about 15 to 20 members and are considered dangerous - carrying weapons and selling drugs.

Police and detectives are working around the clock to find out exactly what happened at the corner of Williams and Katelyn streets Sunday, but witnesses to the tragedy have not been forthcoming with information to investigators. Two people have been arrested, but police still don't have all the pieces of the puzzle.

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That non-cooperation can lead to two things: Getting away with murder for those responsible and more tragedies in the future.

Franklinton police have said they have tried to get the community involved with helping to control and prevent crime. Last year, a meeting was organized by police to start a dialogue between black leaders in Franklinton and FPD. That first meeting did happen, and police said it's up to local leaders to organize future meetings in which FPD would participate. Subsequent meetings never materialized, and now we have people killing each other in the streets.

Some people have an I'm-not-going-to-tell-on-anybody attitude. That's got to change, and it's up to local leaders to make sure it happens.

Every leader in Franklinton - black, white, religious leaders, community leaders - from the mayor on down should be shouting at the top of their lungs about how things need to change and be coming up with solutions to the problem or problems. A candlelight vigil organized by a 29-year-old woman on Thursday and a march led by area youths today are big steps in the right direction. Still, mothers are reluctant to let their children out of sight, and the community is on pins and needles about what to do about it. That's where strong leadership should step in and be heard.

Right now, the gangs are making all the noise; besides the weeping sounds of mothers.