WARNING – Elements in this story contain sounds of gunshots, which may be triggering for some. Resources for those affected are available here.  

Gun violence is a problem St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones is trying to fix, and a public discussion on the issue was interrupted by gunshots.  

RELATED: Tishaura Jones Elected As First Black Woman Maor of St. Louis  

Jones, the city’s first Black woman mayor, is no stranger to gun violence. When the shots rang out, she did not even flinch, remaining unphased and not shocked. “My son and I fall asleep to the lullaby of gunshots in the distance every night,” she said. “It’s a part of my life now and that shouldn’t be.”  

RELATED: ‘It Has Not Improved At All”: Big Freedia Talks Gun Violence, Need For Change 

The gunshots did not deter either mayor from continuing with their daily plan. According to CNN, the discussion included Jones and Kansas City Mayor Quintin Lucas. The two were speaking at a roundtable on how gun violence is impacting their cities.  

After their discussion, Lucas and Jones spoke to survivors of gun violence in the Dutchtown area of St. Louis. “Advocates and survivors emphasized the need to address root causes of crime and treat gun violence like the public health crisis it is,” a statement from Jones’ office said. “Their point was emphasized further in the press conference afterward, when neither mayor flinched as gunshots rang out in the distance.”  

RELATED: Gun Violence Incidents on the Rise in the United States 

A study in Scientific Reports found gun violence is on the rise nationally. The study looked at 28 states, including Missouri, and found a higher risk of gun violence during the pandemic compared to before.  

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.