Baltimore, MD – In a tragic incident that unfolded during a block party in the Brooklyn Homes area, police are now searching for multiple suspects responsible for a shooting that resulted in the death of two individuals and left 28 others injured. Shockingly, among the wounded were fifteen children, causing widespread concern and outrage.

The terrifying incident occurred on Sunday when gunfire erupted in the courtyard between two rowhouses in the south of the city. Surveillance footage captured the chaotic scene as people desperately fled the area. Authorities have yet to determine whether the attack was targeted, and they are currently pursuing at least two suspects.

During a news conference on Monday, the Baltimore Police Department announced a reward of $28,000 (£22,000) for any information leading to the identification and apprehension of the suspects. Law enforcement officials recovered multiple weapons and bullet casings from the crime scene, indicating a high level of danger and violence.

While the police have not released the names of any suspects, they revealed that one of the individuals captured in footage circulating on social media, showing him allegedly retrieving a semi-automatic weapon from a backpack, is considered a suspect. Acting commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department emphasized that anyone seen with a weapon at the scene is a person of interest until they can be ruled out.

Among the victims, 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez tragically lost her life at the scene, while 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The majority of the victims were teenagers, ranging in age from 13 to 19, with additional victims aged between 20 and 32. As of Monday afternoon, seven individuals remained hospitalized, four of whom are in critical condition.

Medical professionals worked under extremely challenging circumstances, treating 19 patients, including critically injured minors, while the assailants remained at large. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his commitment to employing all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice, stating, “We will not stop until we find you – and we will find you.” He condemned the shooting as a “reckless, cowardly act.”

The block party, known as “Brooklyn Day,” was an annual community gathering. However, it was held without permission from authorities, as the police were not informed about the event beforehand. Commissioner Worley indicated that an investigation would be conducted to determine how the officers responded once they became aware of the gathering.

Witnesses present at the scene reported that hundreds of people were attending the party when the shooting unfolded. Danny Gonzalez, an eyewitness unrelated to the victims, recounted hearing gunshots from his home and seeing young people running away. He lamented, “It was at least 40 or 50 rounds.” He further added that gun violence was unfortunately not unfamiliar to the residents of Baltimore, referring to it as “just another killing weekend” and dubbing the city “Murderland.”

The Baltimore Sun newspaper reported 140 homicides in the city so far this year. Shockingly, 2022 marked the eighth consecutive year in which the city recorded over 300 killings. Local authorities expressed concerns about the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon the community due to the shooting. Mayor Scott called for stricter gun laws across the United States, emphasizing the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of gun violence.

Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization, has documented over 330 mass shootings in the US this year alone. They define a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more individuals are injured or killed. The alarming frequency of such incidents highlights the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to combat gun violence nationwide.