2 Killed, 7 Injured As Mass Shooting Erupts At Park In New York's Rochester

New York: At least two women died and five persons were injured after a mass shooting occurred at a crowded public park on Sunday evening in New York’s Rochester. The incident reportedly occurred at around 6.20 pm in the park, where hundreds of people were at an all-day gathering in Rochester's Maplewood Park. The authorities stated that the police have initiated a probe into the matter and are trying to determine what prompted the violence and who was responsible for the firing.

Police Chief David Smith reportedly claimed that multiple weapons were fired during the incident. The police are trying to ascertain the identity of the assailants.

Apart from the two deceased, the five people hit by bullets suffered graze wounds and other injuries that weren't life-threatening, authorities said at a news conference Monday.

Police Are Probing To Determine People Responsible For Firing

“I looked up and I heard somebody yell. He's got a gun! Run!” Rochester resident Shelly Strong told reporters near the scene.

Tyasia Manning, 25, a city employee, was killed, police said. A second victim, Phylicia Council, 34, died later.

Before the violence, “people were in a celebratory mood, enjoying the warm weather, having a good time,” Mayor Malik Evans said. In the aftermath, he recalled seeing a stroller and people's shoes at the park.

“Our people, our residents should be able to enjoy the summer in a park. Period. But all too often we have individuals in this community that are unmitigated cowards, that are OK with shooting women. And two of those women lost their lives,” the mayor said.

No suspects were in custody, police said.

Videos posted on social media by people at the park showed people running after the gunfire began and then civilians performing CPR on one victim before medics arrived. Dozens of shots can be heard.

Maplewood Park runs along the banks of the Genesee River on a stretch between the city's centre and Lake Ontario.

Police said the gathering there had been advertised with flyers. They did not specify the occasion but said the organizers were not required to obtain a permit from the city in advance.

“There were hundreds of people at this barbecue, and therefore there are hundreds of people who have potential information to help us solve this crime,” Smith said, urging those with video or information to contact police.

It was the second mass shooting at a Rochester park in as many months.

In June, six people were wounded in an overnight shooting at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Smith said at least one person started shooting into a crowd of people during an argument.

In that case, the shooting occurred at an unauthorized gathering when the park was closed.

Capt. Greg Bello said it was unknown Sunday how many people fired guns during the latest shooting. "We are trying to work our way through as many witnesses as we can,” he said.

Rochester is the second largest city in upstate New York, about 65 miles (105 kilometres) east of Buffalo.