NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Gunshots rang out just feet from an anti-violence rally in Newark over the weekend and the third-grader who was speaking at the time is now speaking out about the incident.

As CBS 2’s Jessica Schneider reported, it was a poetic plea from an 8-year-old boy. His message was broadcast inside a community center in Newark on Saturday afternoon, but his words were interrupted by gunshots.

“Violence came as I was talking,” Nyeeam Hudson said.

During Nyeeam’s plea for peace, a young man was shot and killed outside.

Nyeeam kept talking, but minutes later he was stopped by the roar of sirens.

“I didn’t know what it was at first, and when I found out I was like, ‘man.'” Nyeeam said.

The shooting happened in a courtyard at a housing complex just feet from where Nyeeam was speaking.

It all happened in broad daylight, but prosecutors said they still haven’t made any arrests.

“We’re always trying to do great and positive things and here it is once again, something negative is happening,” said Al-Tariq Best, Founder of FP Youth Outcry.

Best’s FP Youth Outcry sponsored Saturday’s anti-violence poetry program. He said it is kids like Nyeeam who can help stop the violence.

“I feel sad and sometimes I just think we can do better as a people and I wonder why,” Nyeeam said. “You don’t need a gun to always solve your problems in certain situations.”

Wise words coming from a young boy who plans to keep talking, Schneider reported.

Nyeeam is one of several students who gather regularly at the HUBB in Newark, which stands for Help Us Be Better.

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