In videos from a block party on July 1, hundreds of teenagers and young adults are seen dancing in Baltimore’s Brooklyn neighbourhood, singing along to the lyrics of local rappers. As they shout and move their hands through the air, many hold up phones to record the revelry on a hot summer night.
However, the videos that emerged from shortly after midnight tell a story of terror and tragedy: teenagers running from gunfire, people falling to the ground, and a mother wailing as she met police officers at the vast crime scene where her daughter had been fatally shot.
A barrage of gunfire had torn through the Brooklyn Day party in South Baltimore, leaving two young people dead and 28 more people wounded. Half of those shot were younger than 18, police said.
Even for a city plagued by gun violence in recent years, the number of victims was staggering, representing more people than would sit in an average high school classroom. Over the past decade, only 10 other shootings in the United States have resulted in so many gunshot victims, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a research group, although many mass shootings have taken more lives.
Residents of the neighbourhood are still reeling from the incident two days later, and city leaders are urging people to come forward with information. There are pointed questions about why there were no officers at the event. According to Mayor Brandon Scott, the event does not have a set date, but it has been held every summer for 27 years, and officers were present last year.
Baltimore’s acting police commissioner, Richard Worley, stated that the department had learned of the party’s existence only “several hours” before the shooting occurred. He said multiple guns had been used and that police had not yet made any arrests.
Both Worley and Scott emphasized the importance of finding those responsible for the violence and holding them accountable. Scott urged residents and anyone with information to come forward so that justice can be served.
In reference to a video circulating on social media showing a teenage boy displaying a gun at the party, Scott expressed disappointment that adults in attendance had not taken action to prevent such incidents from occurring.
Questions still remain as to why the police were not aware of the event earlier. In the days leading up to the party, several people had mentioned it on social media platforms. According to Worley, the department had sent officers to monitor the party in previous years based on advertisements or social media posts, but they had not found any posts this year. He also acknowledged that no one had applied for a permit for the event, similar to previous Brooklyn Day parties.
The shooting has raised concerns that such a large, public incident could trigger further retaliatory violence in Baltimore. The city has seen an average of about 333 homicides annually from 2015-2022, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Krystal Gonzalez, the mother of 18-year-old victim Aaliyah, expressed her immense pain and grief. The other victim was identified as 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi. Worley stated that the investigation is ongoing, with officers reviewing videos and interviewing victims.
Remnants left around the Brooklyn Homes, where the party took place, serve as a haunting reminder of the tragic event. People who live nearby mentioned that the party started out as expected, with a DJ, dancing, and food vendors. However, the atmosphere quickly turned chaotic when the gunshots rang out.
Anthony Wicks, a resident of the neighbourhood, recounted how he had to protect his six-year-old daughter during the incident. He was struck by a bullet that ricocheted off something as they ran to safety. Wicks expressed concern over the impact of such violence on the children in the community.
As the investigation continues, Baltimore faces the challenge of addressing the underlying issues that contribute to recurring gun violence and ensuring the safety of its residents.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
