Two women were killed and another five people were wounded in the shooting at a Rochester city park Sunday night that sent hundreds of people running for cover, according to police.
City worker Tyasia Manning, 25, and event planner Phylicia Council, 34, were identified by Rochester police as two victims who died when gunfire rang out at Maplewood Park in upstate New York.
Manning died at the scene and Council succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital.
“People were in a celebratory mood enjoying the warm weather, having a good time,” Mayor Malik Evans said during a press conference on Monday posted by WHAM. “But yet we had cowards that decided to start shooting.”
Five other victims are expected to recover from their wounds after a series of gunshots were fired around 6:20 p.m. at the park.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said multiple weapons were fired during the shooting, but an exact number of suspects was not revealed. No arrests have been announced.
The crowd of people enjoying the barbeque stampeded from the park as the chaotic scene unraveled, according to purported footage of the incident posted online.
Officials are pleading with the public’s help to track down the shooters.
“You have an obligation to make sure you make your voice is heard because your family member could be the next Phylicia or Tyasia,” Evans said.
Council owned an event planning business called “Imperfectly Perfect” that puts on private events, her friend told the Democrat and Chronicle.
“She didn’t deserve this,” Turbo Lewis said. “She was a loving, caring, outgoing person. … It’s just sad.”
Manning worked with kids at the city’s Carter Street R-Center that focuses on youth programming.
Department of Recreation and Human Services Commissioner Shirley Green told the newspaper Manning was dedicated to her job and was known as “mama bear.”
“The kids loved her and she loved the kids,” Green said.