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Families of Hilltop double homicide victims can't make sense of the violence

Both families of the victims of a double homicide say they can't make sense of what happened.

A Columbus mother says she's still numb just 24 hours after she lost her son in a double murder.

Police say her 33-year-old son, Severen Clayborn, died after being shot by a stray bullet, while he slept on the couch in his own home.

Seventeen-year-old Quentin Smith also died in the shooting.

Both families tell 10TV they can't make sense of it and the violence has got to stop.

Back at the house Tuesday, still riddled with bullets on South Wayne Avenue, Sharon Clayborn isn't sure how she feels.

"Just one bullet, took away a life and now it's hurting many lives," she said.

Her son Severen Clayborn died at the home after a shooting on Monday morning.

The incident happened around 9:45 a.m. at South Wayne Avenue and Palmetto Avenue in the Hilltop.

"It is a community problem. It's a family problem. The value of life has diminished quite a bit," Clayborn said.

Detectives say two gunmen using high powered rifles, including an AK-47, shot at a car carrying four teenagers who had skipped school. A bullet hit 17-year-old Quentin Smith.

He was a sophomore at West High School, according to Scott Varner, the public information officer with Columbus City Schools.

"I'm devastated. I'm very hurt. Like I'm devastated," Jozette Mahan said.

Jozette Mahan is Smith's older sister, who helped organize a candlelight vigil Tuesday night to remember him and celebrate his 17th birthday.

"We're going to get answers. We're going to get justice, one way or another," Mahan said.

According to Columbus police records, Smith is one of at least 11 victims age 17 or younger to be murdered this year in the city.

"It gotta stop. Because I never thought it would be my brother. And it hits close to home. And it gotta stop like, all this violence and stuff it gotta stop," Mahan said.

Investigators said as many as 30 bullet casings were found on the street Monday.

"We can look at the holidays as a blessing, mainly because we had him as long as we had him," Clayborn said.

Sharon Clayborn hopes somehow, what happened to her son will make a difference.

"Maybe someone will see this and say you know what we do have to make a difference. However little it is," Clayborn said.

Police have not released any more details about possible suspects.

If you have any information about this shooting, call the Columbus Division of Police at 614-645-4545.

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