A joyful Sunday afternoon barbecue at Maplewood Park in Rochester, New York, turned into a scene of horror as gunfire erupted resulting in the deaths of two women and injuries to five others - what officials are deeming a mass shooting. The incident occurred around 6:20pm when hundreds of people were gathered at the park for what was meant to be a celebratory event.
According to Police Chief David Smith, multiple weapons were fired at some point during the gathering causing the victims to be struck by the rounds. Tyasia Manning, a 25-year-old city employee, was tragically killed in the shooting. Another victim, Phylicia Council, 34, succumbed to her injuries later on.
In response to the incident, several law enforcement agencies, including the Irondequoit Police, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Rochester Police, and New York State Police, swiftly arrived at the scene. It was confirmed that a party was taking place in the vicinity at the time of the shooting. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to gather information from witnesses.
The exact number of individuals involved in the shooting remains unknown and no suspects are currently in custody. The Rochester Police Department is urging anyone with video footage of the incident to come forward and share it with the Major Crimes unit or report it to Crime Stoppers. Additionally, individuals with any information related to the shooting are encouraged to contact either 311 or 911.
The community of Rochester is left in shock and mourning following this senseless act of violence. The focus now is on supporting the victims' families and providing them with the necessary resources during this difficult time. As updates become available, authorities will continue to provide information to the public.