TOLEDO, Ohio — Community members gathered Monday night at a local church for the Raise Up Our Youth Rally, an event focused on addressing youth violence following the recent fatal stabbing of a teenager outside a McDonald’s in the neighborhood.

The rally opened with a song titled Raise Them Up , written by Laurie Swyers and Mary Dick, reflecting the night’s purpose.

"We have that power as a family and as a community to give them a better life and that basically was the essence of the song to empower our youth to do good," said Swyers.

Last month, 14-year-old Xander Epps was stabbed to death outside the McDonald’s on Summit Street. A 16-year-old boy has since been charged with his murder . Epps’ death marked Toledo’s fifth homicide this year involving a victim under 18, and t

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