“I got you”: the work of a Violence Interrupter

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Gun violence prevention takes a community of people looking out for each other. In this comic strip, we go behind the scenes to see how a community member works to prevent violence in his King County neighborhood.

Close-up of a young man wearing a t-shirt with “Violence Interrupter” written on the chest and down the sleeve. He says: As a violence interrupter, I meet the young people where they’re at, emotionally and physically. Whether at home, on the street, or at school, it’s my mission to make sure they have what they need to navigate whatever they’re going through. Mark Rivers, Violence Interrupter
Mark and JD, a teenager, at a fast food restaurant. JD eats a burger. Mark: Last week, you told me you had a lot going on and you were feeling like you were about to snap, bro. Did you use the techniques we talked about? JD: Man, I tried. But Kev keeps pushing me and you know I can’t let that slide. He’s being disrespectful, and the streets are talking.
Close-ups of Mark and JD in conversation. Mark says: You know when you let someone get you out of character, you let them win, right? Respect comes from within, JD. It’s about self-respect and no one can ever take that away from you. JD says: Yeah, man but it’s more than that. Alright…I’ll to try to keep that in my head.
Mark and JD standing, clasping hands. Mark has his other hand on JD’s shoulder. Mark says: I know that. I’m going to check on you extra this week, and I need you to call me anytime you start feeling heated. You know I got you. JD says: Appreciate you, man. Thanks for dinner.
Mark speaking into a microphone. Four other adults wearing Violence Interrupter shirts stand next to him. Mark says: Our team is always there, even when others have given up. Our young people need to know that adults care about them – like REALLY CARE about them. Especially when they are struggling.
Kev says: I don’t know where I can stay tonight. Grandma put me out ‘cause I didn’t come home last night. Marks says: Man, what are you doing? You know you have to respect her rules, Kev. Can’t have her worrying. We’re going to have to figure this out, though. Let me go talk to her, and I’ll call you back.
Mark talking to an older woman with her arms crossed. Mark says: Hi Ms. Rose. Is there a way Kev can stay home tonight? I’m trying to take him to get his ID tomorrow. I can grab him in the morning, but if he’s not here, I don’t know where he’ll be. We talked about your rules, and I’ll keep working with him. You have my word. Ms. Rose says: Mark, because it’s you, he can stay for tonight. But keep on him. I’m going to hold you to that, ya hear?
Mark narrates: Weeks later, JD and Kev had beef. I got wind that they were going to handle it face to face, so I had to pull up. When I got there, things were getting heated. JD and Kev face each other with anger. They are reaching in their pockets as Mark steps in between them. Mark says: Man, what’s going on? JD says: I told you he was runnin’ his mouth. I’m not going to let that slide. Kev says: Then do something!
Close up of Mark as he holds JD and Kev apart as they face one another, still angry. Mark says: Hold up, HOLD UP! You guys are trippin’. I promise you, it’s not this deep. We don’t need to take it nowhere we can’t come back from. You know our goal is for ya’ll to stay alive and stay free. So for me, I need ya’ll to chill.
JD and Kev put their hands at their sides, back away. A wide view shows that they are at a high school football game with other spectators looking on with concern. JD says: Bro, you know me, but for you...if you’re saying it, then yeah. Ima let this slide. Kev says: Yeah, and you know me too bro, but it's good...I’ll leave it alone.
Mark narrates: A few days later, I checked on them to make sure they were straight. Mark sitting between JD and Kev at a group meeting. Mark says: We gotta look out for each other. I need you two to stay with the plan. I’ll call y’all later to check-in this week. JD says: I got you, man. Kev says: Yeah, I got you.

The team of adults who serve as Violence Interrupters dedicate time, attention, and care to building relationships with young people in communities that have been heavily impacted by gun violence. Violence Interrupters work to understand what’s going on in the day-to-day lives of the young people they work with so that they can mentor them in developing life skills and navigating difficult situations, including how to remove themselves from potential violence. When needed, Violence Interrupters actively intervene to prevent a potentially violent situation from escalating.

Thank you to Mark Rivers, who shared his experience as a Violence Interrupter with us.

Learn more about the work of the Regional Gun Violence Prevention:  kingcounty.gov/rgv

Comic by Ariana Donaville and Meredith Li-Vollmer.

See other comics in this series:

Shots fired: On the scene with a violence interrupter – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER

Originally published on 10/2/24