2 dead, 19 shots at Detroit street festival: Everything we know

DETROIT – Two people were killed and 19 others injured in a late-night shooting at a street festival in Detroit over the weekend.

Police were still investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting on Sunday, July 7, on Detroit’s east side.

Here’s everything we know as of Monday morning.

Recording details

Last weekend, a street festival was held in the area of ​​Reno Street and Rossini Drive, near East State Fair and Gratiot Avenue. On Sunday, July 7, at approximately 2:25 a.m., at least one person opened fire on the festival.

It was initially unclear how many shots were fired in total, but many people were hit. Police said two people were killed and 19 others were shot and injured.

What we know about the victims

According to authorities, the two people killed were in their early 20s. Their identities were not known as of Monday morning.

The 19 other people shot were between 17 and 28 years old. Their identities were also not yet known.

Was anyone arrested?

Michigan State Police said no arrests had been made as of Sunday. Authorities had not issued an update as of this writing, so it is unknown if any arrests were made Monday morning.

Authorities plan to hold a press conference on Monday, July 8, at 11 a.m., where they are expected to provide further details. You can follow the conference live on Local 4+ and ClickOnDetroit.com.

What led to the shooting?

Police were still investigating what happened over the weekend. Details of the shooting were not immediately clear.

Neighbors told Local 4 that the shooting shouldn’t have happened. Marco Bellinnie, a man who was at the street fair, told Local 4’s Victor Williams that everyone was just having fun when they heard the gunshots and at first thought it might be fireworks.

Bellinnie said he looked around and “saw the panic in everyone” and knew what was actually happening.

Cliff Dykes, a man who lives a few houses away, said he heard the gunshots and screams as it all happened. You can hear the neighbors’ opinion in Victor’s report below.

Detroit officials frustrated

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan was scheduled to hold a joint press conference with Detroit Police Chief James White on Monday, July 8.

The hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Click here to watch it liveor watch live via our Local 4+ streaming app.

Duggan and White were expected to discuss Sunday’s shooting as well as a “comprehensive new strategy regarding street parties.”

“The violence at several street festivals over the past three days has been heartbreaking for this city,” Duggan said in a statement. “Young people and innocent neighbors are put at risk every weekend. Chief White and I will hold a detailed meeting tomorrow to discuss this increase in violence at these events and our plans to combat it.”

The street fair shooting came amid a violent Fourth of July weekend across the U.S. Violence and mass shootings often increase in the summer, especially around July 4. Researchers say the reason is a combination of factors, including more social gatherings and more alcohol consumption.