Fort Worth Police Chief Addresses Recent Teen Gun Violence

Two teen shootings in one week spark community concern as police and community work to find solutions.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:06am

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An extreme close-up of a spent bullet casing, the harsh lighting and stark black background creating a gritty, investigative mood without words, conceptually representing the evidence and investigation into recent teen gun violence incidents.The harsh flash of a camera illuminates the physical evidence of a recent spate of teen gun violence, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to keep Fort Worth's youth safe.Fort Worth Today

Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia spoke out about the recent spate of teen gun violence in the city, emphasizing that while the recent incidents are concerning, overall violent crime has declined. Garcia said the department is closely analyzing the cases to determine how teens are accessing firearms and whether the incidents are connected. He stressed the importance of parental responsibility and a community-wide effort to address the issue through preventative measures and accountability.

Why it matters

The recent teen gun violence incidents have raised alarm in the Fort Worth community, highlighting the ongoing challenge of youth access to firearms and the need for a coordinated approach to address the problem. As the police chief noted, even a single victim is too many, and the community is seeking solutions to prevent further tragedies.

The details

In the past week, Fort Worth has seen two teen gun-related deaths, prompting Police Chief Eddie Garcia to speak out. Garcia said the department is closely examining the cases to determine how the teens obtained the firearms and whether the incidents are connected. He emphasized the importance of parental responsibility in securing firearms and the need for a community-wide effort, involving schools, community groups, and the police department, to implement preventative measures and ensure accountability.

  • In the past week, Fort Worth has seen two teen gun-related deaths.
  • On April 8, 2026, Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia spoke out about the recent shootings in an interview with WFAA.

The players

Eddie Garcia

The Fort Worth Police Chief who spoke out about the recent teen gun violence incidents and the department's efforts to address the problem.

Mercy Mungwa

The daughter of Magdalene Mancho, a 66-year-old woman who was killed by a stray bullet inside her south Fort Worth home in January 2026.

Tracy Carter

A Fort Worth police officer who warned that many young people are being exposed to firearms without knowing how to handle them, and that the trend could worsen without intervention.

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What they’re saying

“One victim is too many. We take this personally, and we take this seriously.”

— Eddie Garcia, Fort Worth Police Chief

“Parental involvement is important. We need to make sure our community knows a firearm needs to be handled responsibly. It needs to be secured whether in your apartment, car, home.”

— Eddie Garcia, Fort Worth Police Chief

“The loss has left the family devastated.”

— Mercy Mungwa

What’s next

The Fort Worth Police Department is hosting a youth gun violence Beyond the Badge event to bring families, educators, and community groups together to find solutions to the problem of teen gun violence.

The takeaway

The recent incidents of teen gun violence in Fort Worth have highlighted the ongoing challenge of youth access to firearms and the need for a coordinated, community-wide effort to address the issue. While the overall trend shows a decline in violent crime, the police chief and community members recognize that even a single victim is too many, and they are committed to implementing preventative measures and ensuring accountability to keep the city's youth safe.