Putting an end to violence was the focus of a community event held on Saturday evening.

Dozens gathered in Meridian's Highland Park on Saturday night to encourage residents in the area not to resort to violence whenever they have a problem. The event also remembered Johnny Neeley, who was shot to death outside a Highland Park home.

"I want to keep doing this because any other time my son would have been out here with us having fun and today, he's not out here because of senseless violence," Neeley's mother Dana Murrell says. "A week ago, we went to Dallas and two days, back to back, we heard of a shooting in Meridian. One in Highland. Uncalled for."

Murrell says her wish is for everyone in the community to come together and have fun.