agencies
Baltimore
Two people were killed and 28 others injured in a mass shooting early Sunday at a block party in South Baltimore’s Brooklyn neighbourhood, Baltimore Police said.
The neighbourhood was hosting its annual "Brooklyn Day” community celebration when gunfire erupted, sending attendees fleeing and wounding dozens. Police officers responded to multiple shooting reports at about 12.35am Sunday, in the 800 block of Gretna Court.
Authorities say an 18-year-old woman and 20-year-old man were killed. Numerous other victims were transported or walked into area hospitals for treatment. Police said early Sunday morning that three victims were in critical condition.
Richard Worley, the acting commissioner for Baltimore Police, said at a news conference early Sunday that detectives are working to identify a suspect and determine a motive. The crime scene was extensive, according to authorities, and will take time for detectives to work it.
"This was a reckless, cowardly act that happened here and has permanently altered many lives and cost two people their lives,” Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference.
"I want those responsible to hear me, hear me very clearly: We will not stop until we find you. And we will find you.”
What started as a joyous neighbourhood celebration, where people reunited with friends and neighbourhoods at an annual cookout, became a terrifying scramble for survival, residents said.
In the hours before the shooting, neighbours got to work grilling hot dogs and hamburgers to feed the community, always serving children first. There were pony rides, face painting, dance competitions, local rappers and a DJ in the streets surrounding Gretna Court. Then, gunfire sounded in the crowd.
Terry Brown was standing outside his house on Sixth Street when he heard the resounding succession of gunfire. A sea of people ran from the courtyard above, jumping fences and calling out for loved ones. Some tripped and fell in the panic.
"They were running for their lives,” Brown said. In the rush to safety, Brown let five teens take shelter inside his house.
Officers on the scene worked behind police tape spanning multiple streets around the court where the main party was held.
Paramedics took nine injured people to hospitals, and 20 people walked into hospitals seeking treatment, Baltimore Police said. The ages and conditions of the victims vary, police said.