East Side gun violence brings leaders together

St. Paul Police Chief Thomas Smith, center, gathered with other officials and some leaders of the city's African-American leadership Thursday, pleading for cooperation from the public to help in a recent rash of gun violence.

Mayor Chris Coleman, far right, Smith and several community leaders addressed reporters a few blocks away from where two fatal shootings took place last week to condemn gun violence on the East Side. Both authorities and advocates implored residents to come forward with information that could help solve the cases.

"We want to hold the system accountable, and the only way we can hold it accountable is by being part of it. … It's not about protecting a brother or friend because anyone that goes around and puts a total community in danger needs to be brought to justice," said Nathaniel Khaliq, community activist and former head of the St. Paul NAACP.