Thirty people were shot as a block party was winding down early Sunday in Baltimore, in the eastern U.S. state of Maryland.
Two of the victims — an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man — died.
While some of the remaining 28 were transported to hospitals, many of them walked to nearby hospitals. Most of the wounded are teenagers.
Three of the wounded are in critical condition.
Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at least two people opened fire, but police are not sure if the shooters were targeting people or shooting indiscriminately.
The Baltimore Sun newspaper reports the incident is “likely the largest shooting in Baltimore history.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said in a statement, “Maryland has had enough of watching gun violence continue to ravage our state and our nation. The fact that these horrific shootings continue to take place is abominable. We as a state will continue to do everything we can to prevent senseless acts of violence . . .”.
Police began receiving calls about the shootings shortly after midnight Sunday.
Hours earlier, Brooklyn Homes neighbors had come together for the block party where hot dogs and hamburgers were grilled and served, while children enjoyed getting their faces painted and participated in other activities typical of a summer Saturday get together.
In the evening, the shots rang out. Terry Brown, who lives nearby, told The Sun, “It was so many kids. It was chaos.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott told CNN that the shooting highlights “the need to deal with access” to guns not only in Baltimore, but across the country.”