ATLANTA — Atlanta Police are investigating a violent weekend in Atlanta.
At least three children under the age of 15 were hurt by weapons Sunday.
It comes as National Youth Violence Prevention Week kicks off.
Dr. Travis Barber is a community activist who knows something about doing time. He works directly with at-risk youth at schools all over Atlanta.
"They're starting younger and younger to take the streets," Barber said.
When talking about youth violence, we're used to discussing youth-on-youth, but in recent crimes, adults were holding the weapons.
"Even if your kid doesn't have a gun, then nine times out of ten going to be in the of someone that does," Barber said.
A 14-year-old and 11-year-old were shot late Sunday night at a home in Atlanta, with police saying James Kimbrough, 43, was arrested for reckless conduct, cruelty to children, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Atlanta Police Capt. Joshua Holt said it's believed the incident was a domestic one, but police could not yet detail the relationships between either of the young victims or the adult. Capt. Holt also could not yet say whether the shooting was suspected to be accidental or not; he did note it was considered isolated. The boys are recovering at the hospital.
Monday night, there was a public safety meeting. Council member Michael Julian Bond brought up this past weekend's violence to Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton about what's happening.
"A father negligently handling a firearm and striking his own child as well as a nephew," Hampton said.
20 minutes away at the Cleveland Apartment Homes on Cleveland Avenue SE, Atlanta Police said a 10-year-old girl was stabbed. A woman was arrested, but there have been no charges.
One of the first things Hampton said to the council is that crime is improving.
"The crime rate is...we're at 2 percent," Hampton continued. "About 9 weeks ago we were sitting at 11 percent. So, that is a 9 percent decrease. Violent crime is down."
Barber begged to differ.
"In my community, that's a lie. Violence is up. And we're seeing it every day," Barber said. "Even the ones that don't get publicized."
Hampton explained to the council that domestic incidents like these don't paint the entire picture of public safety.
"We're not seeing that same level of violence just in a lot of the open air, but the areas that we can, control and be in, that is where we are," Hampton said.
Barber said it's going to take more than more policing to protect our young people. He says what works is making them feel like they are part of a family that holds them accountable and they need something to do. Plus, the parents and adults in their lives have to help by doing the right things--especially locking their guns up.
"We need more programming, more facilities where the kids can go and get services that the schools can't handle," Barber.
Learn more about Barber's program here. He's also participated with L.E.A.D.
11Alive asked Atlanta Police for a statement about youth violence, specifically. They declined to comment.