ST PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul is facing a crisis as the police department investigates the city's 20th homicide.
The victim of the latest shooting has been identified as 41-year-old Rayvell Carter of Roseville. He was shot outside of his church in the Summit-University neighborhood in St. Paul as he was leaving bible study with his eight-year-old daughter.
Police are still looking for the shooter.
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This shooting is the latest in a rash of murders in the last three weeks. Today, Mayor Melvin Carter addressed the violence after the grand opening of the Frogtown Community Center, very well aware that the rec center is less than two miles from where Rayvell Carter was killed.
"We'll know our public dollars invested in this space will be invested in you," Mayor Carter said in front of a crowd.
"It's like a second home for other people who don't have homes," one girl said, with a sno-cone in her hand. "It's a place where kids who got in trouble can go to a second home."
A rec center is more than just a place to go, another girl chimed in.
"[It's] where we're allowed to do what we want to do and have fun and anytime we're here, we know we're safe," she added.
The opening of this safe space comes after the violation of another. Rayvell Carter was killed just outside of his safe space, after Bible study.
"It's heartbreaking to see the young people we've lost in our community," Mayor Carter said. "It's heartbreaking to see the young people allegedly involved on the other side of the gun."
Mayor Carter added when it comes to addressing the violence, the city doesn't have to pick one thing to invest in.
"We don't have to buy into a either or mentality," he said. "We are investing in our police department and will continue to do that. A salary increase for each police officer, but we are also investing in our libraries and rec centers."
And to those who have benefited from rec centers, the investment is priceless.
Myc Batson, who also went to rec centers growing up, said it's a key feature in a community.
"Idle hands are the devil's playground," said Batson. "I feel like having this building here especially with the level of programming that they have in here, I think it should benefit the community enormously."
Batson, along with his project partner Megan Tate, designed the floors of the Frogtown Community Center. Tate said it was a way to give back and shared that it was surreal that her artwork will be engraved in the childhoods of many children.
Mayor Carter clarified that the St. Paul police department currently has 570 active sworn officers due to attrition. He said once they hire to their capacity at 630, the number of sworn officers will be at an all-time high.