A block party in Baltimore's Brooklyn neighborhood turned into a scene of horror as a mass shooting unfolded, leaving two individuals dead and 28 others injured. The victims, an 18-year-old woman, and a 20-year-old man, lost their lives in the senseless act of violence that has sent shockwaves through the community.
The shooting occurred in the early morning of July 2. Baltimore Police Acting Commissioner Richard Worley stated that multiple calls were received, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Upon arrival, officers discovered one woman deceased and nine others suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services quickly transported the injured to nearby hospitals. While nine individuals were taken from the scene by ambulances, an additional 20 people managed to make their way to hospitals in the vicinity. Regrettably, three of the injured are currently in critical condition, as reported by a police statement.
The 18-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 20-year-old succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed at this time. Twelve patients are being treated at the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and four patients are being treated at the medical center’s pediatric emergency department, the University of Maryland Medical System.
Law enforcement officials have yet to determine a motive for the shooting or identify any suspects. Commissioner Worley stated that investigators are diligently working through an extensive crime scene in their search for answers.
Expressing his dismay, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called the incident a "reckless, cowardly act" that has forever changed the lives of many and resulted in the tragic loss of two young lives. The block party was meant to be a celebration of Baltimore's Brooklyn neighborhood, an area known for its strong working-class community and vibrant spirit.
Mayor Scott recalled that the neighborhood had faced challenges in the past but highlighted the determination of the community to bring about positive change. He emphasized the need to address the pervasive issue of illegal guns on the city's streets and the urgent necessity to prevent those who should not possess firearms from obtaining them.
“It’s an event that happens in Brooklyn every year. Folks were out there having a celebration and then at some point, gunshots rang out and folks of course were trying to get away, get out of there. It is a neighborhood that has had its troubles, but a neighborhood that has seen some folks in that community really determined to see it be successful and see things turn around,” he added.
Mayor Scott, alongside law enforcement officials, urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward and assist in identifying those responsible. He pledged to mobilize all available resources to support the investigation, vowing that the perpetrators would be apprehended.
Addressing the shooter directly, Mayor Scott conveyed a powerful message and implored the perpetrator to reflect on the lives they had taken and the devastating impact their actions had on the community.
"We will not stop until we find you – and we will find you. Until then, I hope with every single breath that you take that you think about the lives that you took and you think about the lives that you impacted here tonight,"
As the investigation continues, the Baltimore community mourns the loss of two young lives and rallies together to support those affected by the tragic events of the block party.
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