Las Vegas Teens Find Path Forward at Gun Violence Summit

When survivor Marlon Rice shares his story with at-risk teens, he doesn't hold back the painful details from that day 25 years ago. His words carry weight because he lived through the worst and came out determined to help others avoid the same path.

The Level Up Summit brought together 60 Clark County teens currently in the juvenile justice system for an eye-opening day of real conversations. Organizers from the Gang Intervention Team wanted these young people to see themselves in the survivors speaking and understand the true cost of gun violence.

Rice's testimony hit hard. He survived multiple gunshot wounds but lost his fiancée in the same attack, watching helplessly as she died. For teens who've grown up around weapons, his raw honesty cut through in ways statistics never could.

One attendee who'd had a gun pointed at his head before said the experience changed something in him. "Getting the perspective and a different outlet is kind of helpful because I feel for me I would be less likely to hurt someone," he explained, adding he wouldn't want his family hurt by gun violence either.

Pacita Coleman from the Gang Intervention Team says most people don't realize how many teens carry guns in Clark County. Her team designed the summit to show these young people they're not alone and that there's a way out. "A lot of these kids, to be honest, aren't bad kids," Coleman said. "They are just misguided."

The day included trauma surgeons from UMC demonstrating how they treat gunshot wounds and distributing free gun locks to families. The medical professionals wanted teens to understand the physical reality behind the violence, showing exactly what happens when someone gets shot.

The Ripple Effect

The summit is just the beginning. Starting June 9 and running through July 31, the organization is launching free late-night recreational programs four nights a week at community centers across Clark County. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., teens can participate in fitness classes, arts workshops, basketball, and other activities during the hours when trouble often finds young people.

By giving these teens safe spaces, caring adults, and alternatives to street life, Clark County is investing in breaking cycles that have trapped too many young lives. The message is simple: your past doesn't have to define your future.