MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After two recent shooting deaths in broad daylight, the Muslim community in Memphis is banding together to seek their own solutions to fighting the crime by creating their own Chamber of Commerce.
On February 11, Fares Shihab was killed while working at a smoke shop in South Memphis during a shooting spree.
Business owner Sammy Elkhayyat was a close friend of Al Gazowi, and is fed up with the crime.
"What's happening here is something similar. Just like Gaza. Shootings everywhere. People getting killed,” said Elkhayyat.
On April 20, Muslim business owner Khalid Al Gazowi was shot and killed outside his beauty supply store in Frayser.
In response, the Memphis Muslim Chamber of Commerce was created. Business owner Mahyer Taha said the goal is to seek solutions to make Memphis safer.
"We're willing to work with the people in charge in the city and the county to improve the city and the economy and make it big as it was or even better,” said Taha.
The Frayser shooting was in State Rep. Antonio Parkinson's district. Despite several bills targeting Memphis, Rep. Parkinson claimed none of this year's passed legislation will bring real change.
"They didn't pass a d*** thing that would help with crime this year. Let's get to the root of the problem and attack the poverty issue that we're dealing with. Make some great policies in education to make sure that our children will have the education and foundation that they need,” said Parkinson.
Rep. Parkinson hopes the next session will be more productive in tackling access to guns. In the meantime, he salutes the Muslim community for trying to be a part of the solution instead of leaving the city like other businesses have.
"Don't let these criminals run you off. It's more of us than it is of them. We just have to band together and execute our plan. They're executing theirs,” said Rep. Parkinson.
The man accused of killing Shihab, Courdarion Craft, is still in jail this evening awaiting trial on seven charges including first-degree murder.
When it comes to the shooting in Frayser, Memphis police said no arrests have been made and there are no new updates.
Anyone with information can contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.