Sister of Phenix City homicide victim holding rally focused on unsolved deaths

Two weeks after a father of nine was shot and killed, his sister is striving to bring awareness to the unsolved homicides in Columbus and Phenix City with a community rally.

“If we as a community don’t get out and stop it, it’s going to be worse,” said Montrice McClendon, Steven McClendon’s sister. “There are going to be a lot more people crying out, hurt.”

The rally is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Agape Church International at 801 Fourth St. in Phenix City. Those whose loved ones have been killed were invited to speak at the event and share their story.

The death of 42-year-old Steven McClendon is one of two homicides in Phenix this year that remain unsolved. The total number of homicides in the city this year is four.

Phenix City police said he was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds around 3 a.m. May 24 at the intersection of Abercrombie Road and Mason Road. He was pronounced dead at Midtown Medical Center in Columbus at 4 a.m.

Columbus has seen 11 homicides this year, but police have only investigated 10. Seven of those deaths have not been solved.

Montrice McClendon was reaching out to people to learn more about her only brother’s death when she learned just how many killings remain unsolved.

She recalled living in a Columbus neighborhood where the community would know the killers before authorities did. She said people need to unite and speak up if they want things to change for the better.

“Like it happened to me, it can happen to you,” she said. “So why you’re around here protecting these people that are just taking people’s lives at liberty, don’t think you’re family is isolated.”

This story was originally published June 8, 2017 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Sister of Phenix City homicide victim holding rally focused on unsolved deaths."