3 dead, 8 injured after overnight shooting in Fort Worth
FORT WORTH (CBSNewsTexas.com) – Police are searching for suspects after several people were shot overnight in the Como neighborhood in Fort Worth.
Police say they were dispatched to a home in the 3400 block of Horne St. around 11:45 p.m. July 3 in reference to a shooting call. They say there was a crowd of several hundred people gathered at the home.
Several unknown men reportedly started firing into the crowd and then fled the scene.
When police arrived, there were multiple gunshot victims in the parking lot. One person was pronounced dead at the scene.
A total of 11 victims have been identified – three have died and eight are at area hospitals in unknown conditions. Police say one of the victims is a juvenile.
Cynthia Santos, 22, and Paul Willis, 18, have been identified as two of the three victims who were fatally shot.
Police say the shooting was separate from and unrelated to ComoFest, a community event that occurred earlier in the day at another location. Later in the evening, a large crowd gathered on Horne Street.
"We cannot tolerate this callous act of violence in our community and investigators are working tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice," Fort Worth police said in a statement.
There is no information about the suspects.
"I am devastated by the news of a mass shooting in Fort Worth last night," Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker posted on social media, encouraging those with information to reach out to police. "My heart breaks for the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Como community that works to build positivity and celebration in their community and our city."
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This shooting is the latest in a string of shootings in Fort Worth and across the country.
"Over the last few days, our nation has once again endured a wave of tragic and senseless shootings in communities across America - from Philadelphia to Fort Worth, Baltimore to Lansing, Wichita to Chicago," said President Joe Biden. "Today, Jill and I grieve for those who have lost their lives and, as our nation celebrates Independence Day, we pray for the day when our communities will be free from gun violence."
Despite the shooting, members of the Como community still showed out for the Como Day Parade on the Fourth of July.
Fort Worth police said the community needs to be assured that they "are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our city during the holiday events for July 4th."
If you have information regarding the shooting or have personal videos from the shooting or events leading up to the shooting, contact Fort Worth police at 817-392-4330.
Members of the clergy and community scheduled an emergency public meeting on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Como First Baptist Church on Goodman Street.
