Local doctor hopes to stop violence by teaching young people boxing, martial arts

A local man is teaching young men and teens how to channel their energy into boxing and martial arts.

Dr. Anthony Mitchell teaches Shen-Ku boxing and martial arts to teens and young men from urban parts of Jacksonville.

“We need things that are going to stop the violence, stop the aggression, get them to become productive citizens,” said Mitchell.

The working-class neighborhoods surrounding his makeshift gym where the young men train can be tough.

It’s not far from where teen Jovan Mills was shot near a school bus stop this week.

STORY: Bus driver takes high school student with gunshot wound to fire station

“I just cut his hair Saturday,” said Darrell Brown. “Sometimes it’s unfortunate the environment they live in.”

That’s why Mitchell is recruiting teens and young men one by one, to put the guns down and gloves up.

“This is our way of pulling the trigger,” said Frank Norman.

“If you don’t want to put on the gloves, but you want to pick up a gun, tell me what kind of man you are,” Gerald Sanders said.

If you know anyone who would want to get involved in training with Mitchell, you can email him at dr.ahenrimitchell@gmail.com.

STORY: Local parents concerned over violence in schools

Cox Media Group