A block party with 400 adults and children was interrupted Saturday when unknown individuals opened fire on the crowd. The party was held on a basketball court in Detroit’s West End. Detroit police believe one person at the party was a target and others near “just happened to be at this party,” Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt explained. A 20-year-old man was killed during the shooting, and nine others injured. The three women and six men struck were rushed to the hospital. Officials believe the injuries are not life threatening.
Police said no children were injured during the shooting which was considered a “miracle,” considering the amount of kids at the party.
Officials are now looking for the shooters, and believe an abandoned red car located across the street from the court belonged to them. Police detained one person for questioning, but no arrests have been made at this time.
In Philadelphia, another block party suffered a shooting on the same day. This time seven people were injured, including two small children. A 2-year old and a 10-year-old were hospitalized following the shooting. The toddler is listed in critical condition with a neck wound. Five others rushed to the hospital are also listed in critical condition.
Lt. John Walker from the Philadelphia Police Department did not have specific details on who the shooter might be. He said it appears to be a random shooting initiated by a person who opened fire with an intent to injure or kill anyone in their sight.
If you have any information regarding the shooting that took place in Philadelphia, please contact the tip line: 215-686-8477 or text 773847. For those with any information on the Detroit shooting, reach out to Detroit’s Telephone Crime Reporting line at 313-267-4600.
Police in both regions advise the shootings are currently under investigation and will release details at a later date. Viral Global News will update this story as new information becomes available.