Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning eight people were shot near a car wash in Fort Worth's Como neighborhood, according to police. All eight victims were taken to local hospitals and were in stable condition early Sunday morning. MedStar said it transported one shooting victim in critical condition.
The long holiday weekend spawned a wave of gun violence across North Texas. At least five people were killed — three of them at a Sunday night block party in the Dallas' Lake Highlands neighborhood.
The shootings, ranging from southeast Dallas to the one in Fort Worth's Como neighborhood, left 20 people hospitalized.
The Como shooting happened around the 3400 block of Horne Street. Police responded after an officer in the area heard shots, according to the department.
Police say the shootings started after an argument between several men. One of the men left, returned with a gun and began shooting at groups of people. Others in the area shot back.
Police are still investigating and say they believe most of the victims are innocent bystanders.
As of Sunday afternoon, there were no suspects in custody.
Praying for the victims & the good people in the amazing #Como community. I’m so proud of the #FWPD Officers who ran towards the danger, made the area safe & rendered medical aid to the victims. They saved lives! Let’s all work together & put a stop to this senseless #GunViolence https://t.co/quqYyesjLd
— Neil Noakes (@fwpdchiefnoakes) July 4, 2021
In a tweet, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes said he was praying and proud of the officers he says ran toward danger to provided medical help.
Fourth of July weekend celebrations and an annual parade typically attract large crowds to the Como neighborhood.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports neighborhood also hosted a family-friendly festival called ComoFest on Saturday evening from 4 to 10 p.m.
Festival organizers told the Star-Telegram they coordinated with Fort Worth police to make security plans.
The community's annual parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.
A department spokesman told the Star-Telegram last year that police have had a presence in the community around the holiday for several years because of residents' complaints about large crowds and potential violence.
The paper reports, officers' presence in the area around July 4 last year despite the annual parade being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic sparked tension, confusion and concerns the majority-Black neighborhood was being over-policed.
This is a developing story.
Read the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's full story.
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