Teens Strive for Peace in Honor of Montrell Wiseman - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Franque Thompson

OMAHA (KPTM)- In honor of 16-year-old Montrell Wiseman, who was shot and killed last Sunday, friends, teammates and strangers gathered to take a stand against violence.  Wiseman's teammates called it upon them selves to let the voices of the youth in Omaha be heard.

But still the tragedy remains in the back of loved ones minds.  That fatal weekend was one they would never forget.

"Montrell, he actually died on my birthday.  And he was supposed to be with us," said South high school basketball teammate and friend Doreal McGraw.

These teens have had enough with violence and are now fighting back—with peace.

"Omaha did not used to be like this.  And the only way for it to stop is for it to stop with our generation," said McGraw.

Wiseman's friends and teammates at South wanted to reach out to all of the youth in the city, so that they can be leaders and help spread peace at their schools and neighborhoods.

"I think that we all should come together and try to keep peace. It's tough, but it can be done, definitely," said Benson student, Jayden Swensen.

Burke high student Jordan Hammond never knew Wiseman, but still knows what the pain feels like.

He said, "I lost my brother to violence.  He was in a fight, got stabbed and he died."

Like many students from across the city, the young leaders have had enough with losing friends and loved ones.

"Everyday we have a choice. We have a choice to get up to live right and to do right instead of just being what they think we are," said Tiyonna Crawford, a South high student who helped start the peace movement.

"All it takes is one person, all it takes is one person to stop something," said McGraw.

So that they can be the change the youth of Omaha needs today.

Lovingly known as "Money Man," friends of Wiseman said he will truly be missed.