Memphis, Tennessee: A festive block party in a Memphis park turned tragic when a shooting occurred, leaving two people dead and 14 others injured, as reported by local police. Authorities disclosed that three of the injured individuals were in critical condition when they were rushed to nearby hospitals, with 11 more arriving by private vehicles.
The chaotic incident took place at a gathering of up to 300 people, where gunfire erupted, resulting in a total of 16 victims being shot. Police arrived at the scene in response to the shooting, discovering five individuals with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, the lives of two men were tragically lost on-site.
As the investigation into the shooting unfolded, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis revealed that no suspects had been apprehended as of Saturday night. It was suspected that at least two perpetrators had discharged firearms at the event, although the motive behind the violence remained unclear.
In a statement, Chief Davis emphasized the department’s relentless efforts to identify and locate those responsible for the shooting. Authorities urged individuals with any footage or information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The incident in Memphis adds to the alarming statistics of mass shootings in the United States, with more than 115 such incidents reported thus far this year. The Gun Violence Archive categorizes a mass shooting as an event where at least four individuals, excluding the shooter, sustain gunshot wounds, emphasizing the prevalence of gun-related violence in the country.