Exactly one week ago, something horrible happened. In a fraction of a second, lives were changed forever.

But that tragic moment, while short in actual time, was a destination to a sad journey that started years before.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. last Sunday morning, a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed in our community.

That fact has been clear from the moment police were first called. A child was dead of a single gunshot wound to the forehead.

Apparently, facts and stories of the living that were near the dead teen’s body quickly began conflicting.

First, an anonymous drive-by shooter was blamed. Then, later, it was said that the gun was in the hands of the boy’s older brother and the gun “just went off.”

Eventually the living brother was arrested and charged.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the gun in question was stolen from a local pawnshop. Its serial number was allegedly scratched off to conceal its source.

How in the world did all of this happen?

For law-abiding citizens, it’s baffling. They immediately ask questions from their own experience.

How does a teenager — either the 18-year-old alleged shooter or the 13-year-old victim — get their hands on a stolen 9 mm pistol?

Where were the parents?

Had the children been in trouble previously?

All are good questions. Only those close to the family and the investigation know the answers, though some may come out if the case goes to trial.

Police investigators say one of their siblings knew the gun existed and that it was hidden in a refrigerator in the backyard.

That doesn’t indicate a single rogue child with a curiosity with firearms. That indicates a community around these young men that either found this behavior completely acceptable or was simply unable to control the children’s behavior.

Regardless, this situation is truly a tragedy. It’s a tragedy for the family involved, but it’s also a tragedy for our community that is becoming all too familiar with such violence.

Our community must start putting an end to this kind of stuff. We appear to be rearing generation after generation that is progressively more immune to respect for others.

A reader e-mailed me some links to videos posted on a public video-sharing site last week. The videos — easily access by simply searching for “Natchez” — show what appears to be groups of young men promoting violence, drinking, drug use, prostitution and gang membership.

It’s difficult to say if all of the lyrics in the videos represent truth or fiction.

They seem to represent a world where guns are proudly displayed, mixed with foul language and a general disrespect for others, particularly those in authority. Within the videos’ images and lyrics we can see how our community continues to fracture.

The ignorant among our community will try to paint the issue with a racist brush. That would be a huge mistake.

Regardless of the skin pigment involved, the problems we’re facing are challenges for all residents.

Today, however, let’s pray for the family that exploded in an instant, a week ago today. Then, let’s quickly work on fixing the structural problems that led to the tragedy.

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.