There have been five people shot, one of them a 3-year-old, another person dead and several homes hit by gunfire, all within Youngstown city limits since Tuesday.

It's a reality that Youngstown residents know all too well, and on Wednesday, city leaders and law enforcement addressed the pressing issue of gun violence in a press conference. Mayor Tito Brown, Youngstown Police Chief Carl Davis and Captain Jason Simon spoke, pointing fingers at state lawmakers, repeat offenders and calling on the community to be bold enough to stand up and help the cause to stop gun violence.

"I look at the state level who have looked at the police and made new weapons laws," said Brown. "Their [the police's] ability has been hindered and it does not help that the state legislature allowed the bad boys to operate."

Mayor Brown said he thinks Youngstown is on the right road to addressing violent crime.

"Some of the same solutions we are doing are the same that other places in the nation are doing," he said.

Perhaps what the mayor said is true, and there are solutions. But according to stats provided by Chief Davis, there is only a slight decline in violent crime in Youngstown this year compared to 2021.

"There is one less homicide than this time last year, as of April 24," said Davis. There have been 15 non-fatal shootings so far this year and 22 last year."

Davis admitted those numbers will change after Tuesday, a day where Youngstown police confirmed multiple houses were struck by gunfire and a separate incident where one person died and two people, including a toddler, were shot.

 Two people were shot at a gas station on the city's south side earlier that morning.

Youngstown police believe that the victims were targeted by the shooter in two of those three incidents.

While none of the current shootings are believed to be related, Captain Jason Simon says that Youngstown has a problem with repeat offenders being bailed out of jail.

"Something like 70% of gun crimes are by repeat offenders," Captain Simon said. "Many people are out on bond and continue to do to reckless things. I don't know who the individuals are, but I guarantee, and I'd bet lunch, that they will have gun crimes on their record and they should still be incarcerated."

21 News is asking Youngstown courts to respond to Captain Simon's comments.

Chief Davis again spoke of a solution for the city, asking the community to step forward with any information they have about possible violent Youngstown residents.

"Everybody who cares about our city and the safety of our city has a part to play," said Chief Davis.

Mayor Brown backed up the police chief, saying that an individual could be the beginning of change.

"You need one bold individual to say 'I don't need this to happen in my community or to my family,'" said Mayor Brown.

Captain Simon offered more advice to curb crime: Rehabilitation. 

"There are two doors in this city, the first one is where we'll help you no matter what your background, family life or education might be," said Captain Simon. "If you choose not to take that, we have another option for you, and you can go to jail to stay off the streets and prevent you from shooting children like an animal."

All of the Tuesday shootings are under investigation by Youngstown police and the Mahoning County Sheriff's office.

According to data the Youngstown Police Department supplied to the FBI, there were at least 206 homicides in the city between 2010 and 2020.