The Baltimore Police Department is investigating a mass shooting in which 30 people were gunned down at a block party in the US city of Baltimore.
Key points:
- The mass shooting took place during a block party in South Baltimore
- The Baltimore Mayor described the incident as a “reckless, cowardly act”
- Police are reviewing the “extensive” crime scene to identify the suspects
Acting Commissioner Richard Worley said police received “numerous calls” about a shooting in the 800 block of Greta Avenue just after 12:30am local time.
He said 30 people were shot, three of which are in a critical condition and two are dead.
“This is an extensive crime scene, our detectives are going to be here quite a while,” he said.
The 28 people who were injured have been taken to hospitals around the region.
The Acting Commissioner said the two people who died were both adults.
He said the mass shooting took place during a “block party” in the Brooklyn Homes area of South Baltimore.
Witnesses told the WBFF-TV station that hundreds of people were gathered for an event called “Brooklyn Day”.
The mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott, said the city was “grieving the lives that we lost here”.
“This was a reckless, cowardly act that happened here and that has permanently altered many lives,” he said.
“I want those who are responsible to hear me and hear me clearly: we will not stop until we find you, and we will find you.”
The mayor said he was “mobilising every resource in [his] power” to find “those cowards who decided to shoot dozens of people”.
Police are actively viewing video footage and talking to witnesses to identify the suspects.
ABC/AP/Reuters