US: At least three killed, eight injured after shooting at Texas festival
Texas shooting
Around 11 people were shot in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, on Tuesday (July 4) out of which three people have died, said the police. The shooting incident took place just before midnight and the officers said they were responding to gunfire in a parking lot in the Texas city’s southwest Como neighbourhood during an annual festival.
What do we know about the incident?
Fort Worth Police Sergeant Jason Spencer told reporters that there was a “large crowd gathering” when the shooting began just before midnight. According to media reports, the shooting occurred during the celebration of “ComoFest”.
“We had a shooting. It appears that we had multiple victims that were shot. Probably three of them were transported to Harris Southwest,” said Fort Worth Police Department’s Captain Shawn Murray.
The officials discovered multiple people shot in a parking lot in the Horne Street area of the Como neighbourhood. “Five more victims were transported to John Peter Smith,” said Murray. He also confirmed there was a large crowd in the neighbourhood when police responded.
The officials have also said that it is “too early to tell” why the shooting occurred and whether it was gang-related, a domestic dispute, or something else. Additionally, no suspects have been identified in connection with the shooting.
"If anyone has personal videos during the time of the shooting or events leading up to the shooting they are asked to contact police," said the local police.
Condition of the victims
According to reports, one person was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The condition of those eight injured was not immediately known.
Local authorities said that several victims were brought to local hospitals by private vehicles while others were transported by ambulance. Among the 11 people shot, police believed ten victims were adults and one other was a minor, said a statement by the Fort Worth Police Department.
What is the ComoFest?
ComoFest is the Independence Day celebration for Fort Worth’s Como neighbourhood, a historically Black community, which is typically held a day before the US Independence Day.
“Traditionally, in the Como neighbourhood, July 3 is their big celebration,” said the Fort Worth Police Department’s captain. He added, “They have their parade, and July 3 in the evening, they gather up as a neighbourhood and come together.”
In 2021, at least eight people were wounded after being shot near a car wash afterthe ComoFest celebration.
(With inputs from agencies)
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