OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The shooting death of a 16-year-old Omaha student last year has inspired the creation of a smartphone app to help students safely walk home from school.

The Smart Walk, or SMALK, app uses crime, weather and traffic updates to give kids the safest walking route home. It can also help organize groups to walk together, call police and let parents know when kids safely arrive at school and home.

The app was inspired by Johntavious Swift, who was shot and killed in September minutes after he got off of his school bus.

The app, developed by middle school students at King Science and Technology Magnet Center, was recently named Nebraska’s best in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge and will compete Friday for a regional Top 24 spot and $5,000.