Fort Worth shooting – live: Two victims identified in ComoFest attack in Texas

At least 17 people have been shot – three of them fatally – across four shootings in Fort Worth, Texas, on the eve of July 4. Two of the victims were identified Tuesday as Cynthia Santos, 22, and Paul Willis, 18, who were killed hours after the ComoFest event ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

Just before midnight on Monday night, gunfire erupted among a crowd of people who had gathered to enjoy the annual ComoFest event in the Como neighbourhood of the city.

Fort Worth Police described a chaotic scene where at least one shooter opened fire into the crowd, shooting at least 11 people and sending people running for their lives. Three people were killed and eight others were wounded.

At least one of the victims of the shootings is believed to be a juvenile.

No arrests have been made and the identities of the shooter or shooters remain unknown.

Just over an hour before the mass shooting at ComoFest, Fort Worth Police were called to a separate incident where three men were shot at a home.

Meanwhile a man was shot at an AMC theatre and a man and woman were shot while driving a car.

Key points

• Three victims killed, eight injured in mass shooting

• No arrests made, no suspects named

• Fort Worth rocked by four shootings on eve of July 4

• Shooting comes after gunfire erupted at 2021 ComoFest

Two victims identified in Forth Worth mass shooting

20:36 , Graig Graziosi

Two of the victims killed during a mass shooting on Monday in Fort Worth, Texas, have been identified.

Cynthia Santos, 22, and Paul Willis, 18, were both killed in the shooting, according to WFAA.

One other person was killed, and eight others were injured.

America’s gun violence in numbers

20:20 , Rachel Sharp

So far in 2023, 340 mass shootings have taken place across America, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

This means this year is on track to record 679 mass shootings – the highest number since 2014.

This would also be a 61 percent increase from the 417 recorded in 2019, the year before Covid-19 ravaged the nation.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker says she is ‘devastated’ by mass shooting

20:00 , Rachel Sharp

“I am devastated by the news of a mass shooting in Fort Worth last night,” she tweeted.

“My heart breaks for the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Como community that works to build positivity and celebration in their community and our city.”

President Biden releases statement on July 4 gun violence

19:40 , Rachel Sharp

“Over the last few days, our nation has once again endured a wave of tragic and senseless shootings in communities across America — from Philadelphia to Fort Worth, Baltimore to Lansing, Wichita to Chicago. Today, Jill and I grieve for those who have lost their lives and, as our nation celebrates Independence Day, we pray for the day when our communities will be free from gun violence. “Today also marks one year since a shooter armed with an AR-15-style weapon fired upon a crowd of Americans gathered for an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. In mere moments, this day of patriotic pride became a scene of pain and tragedy. “In the year since, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, legislative leaders, and numerous advocates, and gun violence survivors have fought tirelessly to turn the pain of Highland Park and other acts of gun violence into meaningful action on behalf of all Illinoisans. This past January, they succeeded in banning assault weapons – like the one used in Highland Park – as well as high-capacity magazines across Illinois. “Their achievement will save lives. But it will not erase their grief. It will not bring back the seven Americans killed in Highland Park or heal the injuries and trauma that scores of others will continue to carry. And as we have seen over the last few days, much more must be done in Illinois and across America to address the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our communities apart. “It is within our power to once again ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to require safe storage of guns, to end gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability, and to enact universal background checks. I urge other states to follow Illinois’ lead, and continue to call upon Republican lawmakers in Congress to come to the table on meaningful, commonsense reforms that the American people support.”

America’s deadly Independence Day

19:20 , Rachel Sharp

Beyond Texas, other communities in the US were also rocked by gun violence throughout the Independence Day holiday.

Over in Philadelphia, five people were killed and at least two others wounded in the Kingsessing neighbourhood on Monday night, when a gunman dressed in a bullet-proof vest and armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun opened fire.

The mass shooting unfolded at around 8.30pm when Philadelphia police said the 40-year-old suspect left his home and began shooting at victims.

Police initially said that four men were killed but early on Tuesday revealed that a fifth victim, a 31-year-old man, had since been found dead inside a home. Two children – aged two and 13 – were also injured in the shooting but are in stable condition.

The suspect was arrested on the scene. As well as the two firearms, he was also found with a police scanner.

Police said the motive remains unknown but that there is no known connection between the suspect and victims.

This came after a mass shooting at a July 4 block party in Baltimore in the early hours of Sunday morning left two dead.

At around 12.35am on Sunday, Baltimore police received multiple calls reporting a shooting on the 800 block of Gretna Court.

Officers responded to the scene, where the community had been holding its annual Brooklyn Day block party, to find 30 victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

One 18-year-old woman – Aaliyah Gonzalez – was pronounced dead on the scene while nine victims were rushed to local hospitals and 20 walked into area hospitals across the region. A 20-year-old man – Kylis Fagbemi – died at the hospital from his injuries. No arrests have been made.

Ilhan Omar calls for action to tackle ‘national crisis’ of mass shootings

19:00 , Rachel Sharp

“There have been at least *six* mass shootings in the past three days. Enough. This is a national crisis. For the sake of our kids and our society we need comprehensive gun safety legislation,” tweeted Ilhan Omar.

Four shootings in Fort Worth on eve of July 4

18:40 , Rachel Sharp

On the eve of July 4 holiday, a total of 17 people were shot in four separate shootings across Fort Worth.

Just over an hour before the mass shooting at ComoFest, Fort Worth Police were called to a separate incident where three men were shot.

It was just after 10pm on Monday night and police said a fight broke out between a group of people at a home in the 2100 block of Christine Avenue in the Polytechnic Heights area.

At least two people opened fire, striking three people.

Officers responded to the scene to find three men suffering from gunshot wounds – one in the head, one in the back and one in the leg.

All three were taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Fort Worth police also responded to a third shooting – this time to the 4000 block of Knox Street where a man and woman had been shot.

The woman was shot in the ankle and the man suffered an injury to the hand – from either a bullet or flying glass – while they were riding in a car, police said.

A suspect was taken into custody with the gang unit now investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, in a fourth incident, a man was shot at the AMC theatre on Hulen Boulevard just after 1.30am on Tuesday.

The shooting again began as a fight between a group of people, prompting gunfire to erupt. The victim’s condition is currently unknown.

Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after ‘tragic and senseless’ spate of July 4 shootings

18:33 , Graig Graziosi

President Joe Biden has issued a fresh appeal for a ban on assault weapons after dozens of people were killed or wounded in mass shootings in the lead-up to Independence Day celebrations.

Five people were shot dead and two boys, aged two and 13, were injured when a gunman armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest opened fire in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighbourhood at around 8.30pm on Monday night, according to authorities.

Hours later, three died and 14 were injured in four separate shootings in Fort Worth, Texas.

Mr Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden were also grieving “tragic and senseless shootings” that had occurred in recent days in Baltimore, Lansing, Chicago and Wichita in a July 4 statement.

READ MORE:

Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after spate of July 4 shootings

IN PICTURES: Fort Worth mass shooting

18:20 , Rachel Sharp

Ted Cruz ignores Texas mass shooting and posts July 4 message

18:00 , Rachel Sharp

Texas Senator Ted Cruz ignored the latest mass shooting in his home state as he posted a July 4 message celebrating “the freedoms we are so blessed to share”.

July 4 shootings come on one-year anniversary of Highland Park massacre

17:40 , Rachel Sharp

The mass shootings in Baltimore, Fort Worth and Philadelphia during the July 4 holiday come one year on from the massacre at Highland Park, where a gunman killed seven during an Independence Day parade.

This July 4, the community is remembering those killed.

Read more here:

Highland Park marks 1 year after July 4 shooting with community walk reclaiming parade route

Texas lawmaker responds to night of violence in home community

17:20 , Rachel Sharp

Shooting began as argument: sources

17:00 , Rachel Sharp

The mass shooting that left three dead and eight others injured in Fort Worth, Texas, unfolded when an argument escalated to gunfire, according to a report.

Sources told ABC11 that they believe the altercation escalated quickly but would not say if the shooting is thought to be gang related.

Many of the surviving victims are also refusing to cooperate with police, meaning police are relying on the public for help.

Fort Worth gathered for an annual July 4 festival. America’s latest mass shooting shattered the celebrations

16:40 , Rachel Sharp

July 4 is a time for parties, fireworks, hot dogs and vacations from work.

But this year, it was also a time marred by gun violence.

On Monday night, three people were killed and another eight injured when gunfire erupted at the end of an Independence Day celebration in Fort Worth, Texas.

The annual ComoFest was held in the Como neighbourhood, with hundreds of local residents gathering to watch the fireworks display – some of them never to return home again.

It marked just one of three shootings in Fort Worth on the eve of July 4, leaving a total of 17 dead or wounded across the city.

Here’s what we know so far:

What we know about July 4 mass shooting at Fort Worth’s ComoFest

Fort Worth rocked by second shooting on eve of July 4

16:20 , Rachel Sharp

The community of Fort Worth was rocked by a second shooting on the evening before the July 4 holiday.

Just over an hour before the mass shooting at ComoFest, Fort Worth Police were called to a separate incident where three men were shot.

It was just after 10pm on Monday night and police said a fight broke out between a group of people at a home in the 2100 block of Christine Avenue in the Polytechnic Heights area.

At least two people opened fire, striking three people.

Officers responded to the scene to find three men suffering from gunshot wounds – one in the head, one in the back and one in the leg.

All three were taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Fort Worth police ask public for help in tracking down shooters

16:00 , Rachel Sharp

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call the Fort Worth Homicide Unit at 817-392-4330 or crime stoppers.

If anyone has personal videos during the time of the shooting or events leading up to the shooting they are also being asked to contact police.

Gun control group reacts to mass shooting: ‘Gun violence shouldn’t be as American as the 4th of July'

15:40 , Rachel Sharp

“It it feels like we can’t go a single day in the US without a mass shooting. We are the only industrialized country in the world that wakes up to news of a mass shooting, sometimes multiple, every single day. Unfortunately, because of the gun industry’s influence on our lawmakers, there is no place in America that’s safe from gun violence,” said Kris Brown, president of gun violence prevention organisation Brady.

“Gun violence shouldn’t be as American as the 4th of July. But the tragic reality is the July 4th weekend is often our country’s deadliest peak in gun violence. Already, 2023 is on track to set the record for the highest number of mass shootings of any year in US history.”

“If an assault weapon was indeed used in the Philadelphia shooting, its ability to gun down multiple people in a matter of seconds is indicative of why these weapons of war have no place in our communities. Highland Park, Ill. experienced a similar assault weapons shooting on this day last year. Unfortunately, 40 states, including Pennsylvania, still allow these weapons of war in our communities.

“This Independence Day, multiple families will be in mourning because of a uniquely American crisis that our policymakers refuse to address. Our hearts go out to the families and survivors of these horrific tragedies.”

Over in Philadelphia: Five killed in mass shooting

15:20 , Rachel Sharp

Five people have been killed and at least two others wounded in the Kingsessing neighbourhood of Philadelphia on Monday night, when a gunman dressed in a bullet-proof vest and armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun opened fire.

The mass shooting unfolded at around 8.30pm when Philadelphia police said the 40-year-old suspect left his home and began shooting at victims.

Police initially said that four men were killed but early on Tuesday revealed that a fifth victim, a 31-year-old man, had since been found dead inside a home. Two children – aged two and 13 – were also injured in the shooting but are in stable condition.

Read more here:

Five killed in Philadelphia mass shooting as gunman, 40, in custody – live

Shooting marks second at annual ComoFest

15:00 , Rachel Sharp

The mass shooting came just hours after the neighbourhood’s annual ComoFest came to an end.

This isn’t the first time Fort Worth’s ComoFest ended in tragedy.

Two years ago in 2021, eight people were shot close to a car wash on Horne Street during the celebrations. All shooting victims survived back then.

Who are the victims?

14:40 , Rachel Sharp

Three people were killed and at least another eight injured in a mass shooting at the annual ComoFest late on 3 July.

One shooting victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the other 10 were rushed to hospital, reported WFAA.

Two other victims were pronounced dead taking the death toll up to three.

The identities of the victims are currently unknown.

One of the 11 is believed to be a juvenile while the other 10 are adults.

Fort Worth police describe chaotic scene

14:20 , Rachel Sharp

Fort Worth Police described a chaotic scene after at least one shooter opened fire into the crowd, striking at least 11 people and sending revellers running for their lives.

Emergency responders then struggled to reach the victims due to the large crowds of people and the number of vehicles in the area, police said.

Because of this, officers resorted to loading victims into their patrol cars and driving them to waiting paramedics, police said.

WATCH: Fort Worth community rocked by mass shooting

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Shooter or shooters still at large

13:40 , Rachel Sharp

No arrests have been made and the identities of the shooter or shooters remain unknown.

Fort Worth Police Captain Shawn Murray in a press conference that investigators are working to determine how many people opened fire.

“We don’t if this was domestic related or gang related. It’s too early to tell,” he said.

“We just know someone shot a bunch of times. We don’t know if it was a single shooter or more than one shooter.

“We hope it is just a single shooter and not a crossfire situation. Homicide will figure that out... how many shooters there were.”

Three victims killed in shooting

13:20 , Rachel Sharp

Three victims have been killed in the mass shooting that unfolded as people gathered to celebrate the annual ComoFest the night before July 4.

One shooting victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the other 10 were rushed to hospital, reported WFAA.

Two other victims were pronounced dead taking the death toll up to three.

How the shooting unfolded:

13:10 , Rachel Sharp

The massacre unfolded just before midnight on Monday night as revellers gathered to enjoy Independence Day celebrations in the area of Diaz Avenue and Horne Street in Fort Worth’s Como neighbourhood.

Fort Worth Police said that investigators believe someone opened fire into the crowd, hitting at least 11 people and sending terrified revellers running for their lives.

“We had a shooting. It appears that we had multiple victims that were shot. Probably three of them were transported to Harris Southwest,” said Fort Worth Police Captain Shawn Murray in a press conference.

“Five more victims were transported to John Peter Smith.”

Three victims were killed while another eight suffered were injured in the shooting.

FULL STORY: Three people killed and eight wounded in mass shooting at July 4 fireworks event in Fort Worth

12:56 , Rachel Sharp

At leat three people have been killed and eight others wounded in a mass shooting at a July 4 fireworks display in Fort Worth, Texas.

The massacre unfolded just before midnight on Monday night as revellers gathered to enjoy Independence Day celebrations in the area of Diaz Avenue and Horne Street in Fort Worth’s Como neighbourhood.

Fort Worth Police said that investigators believe someone opened fire into the crowd, hitting at least 11 people and sending terrified revellers running for their lives.

Read the full story here:

Fort Worth mass shooting: Three killed and eight wounded at July 4 fireworks display

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog

12:55 , Rachel Sharp

Follow updates on the mass shooting at a July 4 fireworks display in the Como neighbourhood of Fort Worth, Texas