Rampant Gun Violence Claims Lives of Four Students at D.C. Charter School

Mashea Ashton, the principal of Digital Pioneers Academy in Washington, D.C., is outraged after four students were killed by gun violence in the span of one school year. The school, which serves predominantly at-risk students from low-income households, has become a microcosm of the ongoing struggle to curb gun violence and keep children, particularly Black children, safe in the nation's capital. Ashton is calling for more support and resources from the city, including additional counselors and nighttime programming for youths. She is also taking matters into her own hands by organizing summer activities and mentoring programs to keep students engaged and safe during the break.