Everyone at some point in their lives experiences an “aha” moment.

It could be positive or negative, but it teaches us a life lesson that will undoubtedly have a profound effect on our lives for years to come.

DeKalb residents had that moment after a shooting that left 19-year-old DeKalb resident Jayson Martin dead Tuesday.

Most people wouldn’t fathom something like this happening in the seemingly safe little farm community that is DeKalb.

And, for the most part, they would be right — until now.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said the incident was the first gang-related homicide on the city’s record.

The suspect, 15-year-old DeKalb resident Max J. Keding, was affiliated with the Latin Kings, while Martin was a self-professed affiliate with the Gangster Disciples. Both are notorious for being some of the worst feared gangs in Illinois.

To limit the incident to a dispute between two individuals would be a mistake.

For the first time in city history, DeKalb police are dealing with a gang-related homicide. More importantly, it’s one of the few times the police, media and citizens have had to realize that there are substantial socioeconomic changes occurring and that problems that we thought only occurred elsewhere are now at our doorstep.

As the problem increases, so too must the efforts to address it.

In doing so, DeKalb officials must answer numerous social questions that arise as the investigation ensues.

These are the questions the Star hopes to look into in the future.

Until these questions are answered, it will be impossible to effectively address the underlying social issues and, thus, be able to deal with problems that come with rapid residential growth.