WORCESTER, Mass. – Having started a gang in Worcester, Derrick Kiser knows firsthand the impact gun violence can have on families.

"I have 12 bothers that have been murdered, on my arm," Kiser said while showing off his tattoo. "You know, my best friend died in my hands. Another friend died in my hand. I experienced death. I've seen things that is something similar to that."

It's why the deaths of Chastity Nuñez and her daughter Zella really struck him.

What You Need To Know

  • Derrick Kiser says he is heartbroken by the loss the city experienced during Tuesday's deadly shooting

  • Chastity Nuñez and her daughter Zella were killed, shot while in an SUV on Lisbon Street

  • Losses like this are why Kiser created Fresh Start Wellness Center, a nonprofit aimed at finding the cause of youth violence and substance use

  • Kiser speaks to school students about the dangers of a life on the street and offers mentor programs for local youth

"It's just tragic," said Kiser. "Especially when it involves a woman and a child. It's something that you wouldn't believe would happen here."

Nuñez was an acquaintance of Kiser's. He said he has known her family for years.

Losses like this are why Kiser created Fresh Start Wellness Center, a nonprofit aiming to find the root cause of youth violence and substance use.

"Fresh Start's mission is stopping the trauma to substance, to prison, to homicide, to suicide pipelines," said Kiser.

Nuñez and her 11-year-old daughter were killed Tuesday, after being shot while in an SUV on Lisbon Street.

Kiser speaks to school students about the dangers of a life on the street and offers mentor programs for local youth. But he says there hasn't been enough done toward prevention and intervention.

"Focusing more on the social and emotional well-being in kids in a school-level, you know what I mean?" he said. "Making sure that's not just once every week in a health class. No, that's every day, just like learning math."

City Manager Eric Batista told Spectrum News 1 that Worcester continues to prioritize violence prevention, saying in a statement: "Collectively, city officials and community agencies are continually working toward the goal of Worcester being a place where all of its young people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, housing situation, family status or religion feel safe, secure, respected, and live a life free from violence."

Batista also said it's time for the city to come together. Kiser agreed.

"Black, white, Spanish, Latino, Asian, Republican, Democrat, east side, west side, Kilby Street, North High, South High, boys club," Kiser said. "We're really all in this together. We're human beings."

One of the men charged in the shooting, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, was arraigned Thursday. He's set to be back in court next week.