Community hosts 'Stop the Violence' rally days after student killed at Butler HS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At the same time as a funeral for a slain Butler High School student was happening in west Charlotte, a group of community advocates, leaders, and concerned parents gathered in uptown to rally for an end to violence.

This comes after a 16-year-old Butler student was killed in a school hallway Monday morning.

[ ['I love you, Bobby': Loved ones gather to say final goodbyes to slain Butler HS student] ]

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board member Elyse Dashew was part of the rally. She said as a mother first, then to listen and learn as a leader.

"We need to get the community and school system together to work on solutions we can join forces on," Dashew said.

Rod Boyd said he spoke to the family of Bobby McKeithen, the 16-year-old killed at Butler.

"I had an opportunity to go meet the father and the mother and give them our condolences and let them know we're there for them," Boyd said.

15-year-old Jaylen Byers got emotional while speaking, and said he feels for the families of both McKeithen and Jatwan Cuffie, the student charged with murder.

"We don't have to have the cycle over and over to make a change," Byers said.

[Slain Butler HS student's father: 'My son lost his life over foolishness']

What specifically will change is yet to be determined, but the word "change" is one that came up multiple times Saturday.

"Anytime there's a loss of a child, it is a moral obligation to step up to the plate and make a change," community advocate Tera Long said.

[ [CMS superintendent addresses safety days after deadly school shooting] ]

CMS Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox came to Channel 9 Studios Wednesday for a live interview about the difficult week it has been for the district.

He said district leaders are working to make changes soon.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: