1 Dead, 3 Injured In Shooting Near Mother's Day Event In Newark
NEWARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- One person is dead and three others were injured in a shooting Sunday near an annual Mother's Day motorcycle rally in Newark, officials said.
The shooting happened near 19 Avenue and South 16th Street around 7:45 p.m. near the Blessing of the Bikes event that was held just a few blocks away.
"It was probably about eight to 12 shots that rang out," said Keona Campbell. "And the guy, he ran, he fell on the ground and he was gone."
Campbell said she watched in horror as a 15-year-old boy was gunned down right in front of her eyes, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
She said the boy was shot multiple times in the head and she performed CPR on him, trying desperately to save his life.
"I have children of my own, and if that was my baby, I would want someone to help him along," she said. "Two years ago, my brother was murdered on the streets of Newark. And I would hope that somebody would've helped my brother."
The victim was pronounced dead at University Hospital, the prosecutor's office said.
Three other victims were being treated for apparent non-life threatening injuries, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said.
There had been a heavy police presence for the rally. Police believe there was more than one gunman either on ATVs or motorcycles, CBS 2 reported.
Campbell said she saw two men on a four-wheeler drive up and open fire, seemingly at random.
"The guy started doing wheelies in the middle of the street. And as he was doing the wheelies one guy with the white shirt -- it was a guy that was driving in a black shirt and a guy in the back with a white shirt, they both open fire at that time," Campbell said.
Mayor Ras Baraka said at least 2,000 people showed up to the Blessing of the Bikes and that although the city did approve the event, it never should have been because the city doesn't have enough manpower to handle an event of that magnitude, Sanchez reported.
"A shooting out in the street like this is unacceptable. It won't be tolerated in the City of Newark and we will bring somebody to justice for this as soon as we possibly can," Baraka said. "We're going to put all of our resources involved in this and make sure somebody is brought to justice around on this immediately."
So far, no arrests have been made and there is no word on a motive.