Community leaders call for action after deadly North Charleston robbery

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Just before 10 p.m., the North Charleston Police Department responded to reports of gunfire on Stall Road. Near that gunfire was La Mexicana Supermarket on Ashley Phosphate Road, which serves as a refuge for the Hispanic community.

However, after the outbreak of violence, community leaders are imploring city and county officials to come up with solutions.

"This is a place of comfort," said Lydia Cotton, a community leader. "[It is] a place that we all can communicate. [It] is a place that we feel trust, and it's a center of communication among the community on the grassroots level."

READ MORE: "Shooting in North Charleston leaves 1 dead amid armed robbery investigation: NCPD."

North Charleston Police said 37-year-old Heriberto Martinez-Martinez, from Mexico, was killed following the deadly armed robbery and shooting. What worries the local leaders is if the violence continues.

"What I'm worried is that this continues," Cotton said. "I'm worried is about that we still not finding solutions. What I'm worried about is that newcomers are here and they're not bridging the gap. And then we are not giving the tools to people like us to do our job and help to bring everybody together."

Cotton said she didn't know the victim, but with the market serving as a safe space, she believes the entire Hispanic community feels the loss.

"We are doing the job of community, which is to keep the family together," Cotton said.