Organizers plan DeKalb Peace Rally on Friday to combat gun violence

Organizers with the city of DeKalb, police agencies and an area church are organizing a public peace rally Friday to encourage the community to work together against gun violence.

The DeKalb Peace Walk and Rally begins at 6 p.m. Friday in Northern Illinois University’s Parking Lot X. Organizers said they’ll walk from there through the Annie Glidden North neighborhood and return to the parking lot, according to a news release.

The event also is expected to include food vendors and live music. Organizers include the city of DeKalb, the DeKalb and NIU police departments, Back At It BBQ and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

The peace rally originally was scheduled for May 11 but was postponed due to severe weather.

A slew of gun violence, including a deadly shooting, occurred in DeKalb this spring.

Anthony D. Hernandez, 20, was shot to death June 9 in the early-morning hours at DeKalb’s Meadowlark Townhomes. Hernandez died later that day at a Rockford hospital, according to the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office.

One person suffered serious injuries in a May 28 shooting midday outside Russell Road Apartments in DeKalb, police said.

And three teenagers were arrested and charged in connection with a May 5 shooting outside an apartment building in the 900 block of Kimberly Drive, police said.

All three 17-year-old boys from DeKalb were charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, according to the DeKalb Police Department.