Month: July 2023

At least three people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting late Monday in Fort Worth, Texas. The Fort Worth Police Department said its officers were dispatched to Horne Street on the west side of the city in response to a report of a shooting; upon arrival, the officers found “multiple” gunshot victims in a parking lots

Police have identified a total of 11 victims — 10 adults and one child. Three of them have died while eight others remain hospitalized in unknown conditions. The shooting happened in the city’s Como neighborhood in Fort Worth, with police saying that the shooting occurred hours after the end of the neighborhood’s annual July 4th ComoFest.  The neighborhood is described as a small, predominantly Black community with a high level of crime, including rival gangs in the area. Sources would not say if they believe the shooting was gang related but said the incident began as an argument and escalated quickly. Several of the victims will not cooperate with authorities, and they are asking the public tocome forward with more details about what happened that night.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker posted on social media: “I am devastated by the news of a mass shooting in Fort Worth last night. My heart breaks for the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Como community that works to build positivity and celebration in their community and our city.”  Mayor Parker said those with information about the incident, or if they have personal videos from the shooting or events leading up to the shootings, are urged to contact the Fort Worth Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 817-392-4330, or the Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477.

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At least five people were killed and two minor children were injured by gunfire in a Philadelphia neighborhood, when a man wearing body armor opened fire on Monday.  Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw told reporters during a press conference that the crime scene encompasses a two-by-four-block area, and at least 50 shots were fired in the incident, with multiple vehicles struck.

Outlaw said the suspect, described as a Black man in his 40s, was taken into custody after being cornered by police in an alley. He was wearing a bulletproof vest that contained multiple magazines and was armed with an AR-style rifle, a handgun and a scanner. A motive was under investigation. As the suspect was firing his weapon, a second person “acquired a gun somehow” and returned fire, Outlaw said, adding they don’t know this person’s connection to the shooter. That second person was also taken into custody.

All six gunshot victims were either on the street or in vehicles when they were struck, Outlaw said, again adding that “at this point we don’t see a connection to any of the victims and the shooter.” Police identified the deceased victims Tuesday as Lashyd Merritt, 20; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; Daujan Brown, 15; and Joseph Wamah, Jr., 31. They had all been shot multiple times. The injured parties were both boys aged 2 years old and 13 years old, who were stable at a hospital.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney tweeted: “Horrified by the reports of a shooting in Southwest Philadelphia. My heart is with the loved ones and families of everyone involved, and I send my prayers to the victims.”

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