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Dublin neighbors concerned as violent crime spikes in Laurens County

In less than a week, three people are dead in Laurens County from violent crime -- the latest, a shooting victim only 26 years old.

DUBLIN, Ga. — In less than a week, three people dead in Laurens County from violent crime. The latest is a shooting victim who was only 26 years old.

Porsha Flanders is Jimquez Smith's cousin. She says her cousin’s death hurts more than just her family, but the whole community.

"What is it going to take for the violence to stop? How many more innocent lives have to be lost in order for people to understand that violence is not the answer?" Flanders said.

Smith was found dead at around 9 a.m. Tuesday on Kingsby and Telfair streets. Calvin Hinton woke up to the scene right in front of his home.

"It could have been a family member. Nobody deserves to die like that, in my opinion, to be found dead in a street," Hinton said.

"There is nothing that he could have said or done to anyone to deserve what happened to him. He has two kids that now have to grow up without him," Flanders said.

According to the GBI, Smith was shot in the chest, and he died less than an hour later at Fairview Park Hospital. Flanders says she has fond memories growing up with Smith on Dublin's south side.

"All that violence that goes on now, we didn't have that problem back then, growing up," Flanders said.

But with violence hitting so close to home, Hinton's considering moving.

"I just don't feel comfortable walking outside my door, knowing somebody passed away right there," Hinton said.

They both hope to see the violence stop.

"I think we should learn to use our mouth instead of our hands. I mean, talk out the situation," Hinton said.

"You don't fight flesh with flesh, because when you fight flesh with flesh, you don't get nothing but a big explosion. Nothing’s going to go good, so what's the point of that?" Flanders said.

The GBI says if you have any information on this case, you can call the Dublin Police Department at (478) 277-5023.

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