Councilman speaks out on gun violence following Clairton shootout

CLAIRTON, Pa. — Allegheny County police continue to investigate a deadly shooting in Clairton during which a councilman’s grandson was injured.

Councilman Richard Ford III’s grandson, Richard Ford V, was shot in the knee Tuesday afternoon in a shootout that resulted in the death of Terrance Moore.

Now, the elder Ford is speaking out on his concern over guns and young people’s mentality about them. He hopes to see the Clairton community pull together to help their youth.

Ford said a conversation he had with a young woman really resonated with him. “She said ‘we don't want to carry guns but we are scared not to carry guns. They have them, we have to have them.  We don't stand a chance without them,’” the councilman told Channel 11 reporter Vince Sims.

According to Allegheny County police, the younger Ford had a concealed weapon permit.

"If you feel that threatened, if you have to have a weapon, you get a good one, you get it registered and a permit to carry. If you don't, anything that happens, you're illegal," the older Ford said.

Councilman Ford hopes changes can be made to put a stop to gun violence and make Clairton a better community.

WPXI