A peaceful Sunday evening at a park in Rochester, New York, turned tragic when a shooting left one person dead and six others injured. The incident occurred around 6:20 p.m. at Maplewood Park, a popular spot for locals to enjoy the summer weather. The deceased victim, a person in their 20s, was among the crowd when the gunfire broke out.
Another individual was critically injured in the shooting, while five others sustained minor injuries. All victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The identity of the deceased has not been released as authorities are still in the process of notifying the family.
The park was bustling with people enjoying barbecues and the warm weather when the shooting occurred. A video posted on social media captured the chaos and fear that ensued as the crowd scrambled to escape the gunfire.
Details about the suspects and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear. Rochester police Captain Greg Bello stated in an online briefing that they are still trying to determine the number of shooters involved. “At this point, we don’t know how many people were shooting,” Bello said. “We are trying to work our way through that. We are trying to work our way through as many witnesses as we can.”
Police later confirmed that they are searching for more than one shooter, but the exact number remains unknown. Rochester Police Chief David Smith, in a subsequent press briefing, said, “We are looking for more than one person. I can’t clarify or quantify if they were part of this gathering or if they came from the outside.”
Investigators were on the scene late into Sunday night, examining the crime scene and analyzing ballistic evidence. Bello urged anyone with videos or information related to the shooting to come forward.
The incident has left the community in shock, with Bello expressing his disbelief at the violence. “Somebody that pulled out a gun, obviously that’s incredibly unacceptable in our society,” he said. As the search for the suspects continues, Smith issued a stern warning: “To the folks who did this, I will be seeing you.”
Maplewood Park, known for its “breathtaking scenic views,” is described as a “must-see spot in Rochester” on the city’s website.