EASTER HORROR Seven dead and dozens injured in Easter weekend violence after shootings erupt across US
SEVEN people were killed and dozens more were wounded after shootings erupted across the US in a bloody wave of Easter weekend violence.
From Atlanta to Brooklyn, Milwaukee, New Orleans and St. Louis, the bloodshed unfolded over two days as gunfire broke out in parks, neighborhoods, streets and nightlife areas.
In Atlanta, gunfire erupted in a string of separate shootings from Friday night into Sunday night.
Among the dead was a 16-year-old girl who was shot at Piedmonth Park around 9 pm on Sunday night.
Police said the killing was not tied to a permitted 404 Day festival that had taken place earlier in the evening.
Another 15-year-old girl was also shot in the shoulder and rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, FOX affiliate WAGA reported.
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Witnesses described panic in the park’s far west end as crowds ran after shots rang out.
Just hours later, a 3-year-old was shot on Washington Street SW around 12:37 am on Sunday.
The child was taken to the hospital but later died from the injuries.
Police had not announced any arrests in that case as of Monday morning.
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Violence continued Sunday night when four teenagers were shot in southwest Atlanta near Sparks and Lee streets.
The victims were a 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old.
At least one of them was reported to be in critical condition.
Earlier on Easter Sunday, a 15-year-old boy was shot in the Virginia-Highland area in what investigators believe was a domestic dispute.
Police said he was alert, conscious and breathing when officers arrived.
Two men, aged 25 and 30, were early Sunday morning.
Both were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Other shootings were reported over the weekend on Lakeside Village Drive, Magnolia Street and near Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark.
Magnolia Street and near Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark.
In one of those cases, an 18-year-old man was found wounded on Magnolia Street late Saturday night.
In another, a 25-year-old man was shot near Willoughby Way after what police said was a dispute that escalated.
Atlanta leaders reacted with alarm after the burst of violence stretched into all four quadrants of the city.
“These are not just headlines-they are lives cut short, families shattered, and communities shaken to their core,” Fulton County Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington Jr. said in a statement.
“Enough is enough. Atlanta must be a city where every child, whether in a park or at home, is safe,” he added.
Former Atlanta councilmember and former Fulton commissioner Lee Morris also called the violence “deeply alarming and profoundly sad.”
Police are still investigating all of the shootings and have urged anyone with information, video or cellphone footage to come forward.
BROOKLYN SHOOTING
Meanwhile, similar violence was reported across other parts of the country over Easter weekend.
In Brooklyn, one man was killed and another left critically injured after a shooting on Fulton Street in Cypress Hills.
Police said officers responded just before 6 pm and found two men, aged 30 and 50, with gunshot wounds.
Both were rushed to hospital in critical condition ABC affiliate WABC reported.
The 30-year-old later died from his injuries and the older victim was still in critical condition.
Police said one person of interest was taken into custody, but no charges had been announced.
MILWAUKEE SHOOTING
In Milwaukee, a 40-year-old father and grandfather was shot dead late Saturday near Hampton and Fond du Lac avenues.
Family identified him as Tremayne Montgomery as police continued searching for the gunman.
Loved ones said he had been at a nearby bar before the gunfire broke out.
Montgomery died at the scene.
Police were still trying to identify the shooter, ABC affiliate WISN reported.
NEW ORLEANS SHOOTING
In New Orleans, three separate shootings broke out within about an hour overnight.
The first happened just after 1 am in the 3900 block of Dublin Street, where a man was shot.
A second man was shot just before 2 am in the 1000 block of South Rendon Street.
Moments later, another man was shot at North Robertson Street and Poland Avenue in the Bywater neighborhood.
Police said three men were shot at different locations and taken to hospital, NBC affiliate WDSU reported.
ST LOUIS SHOOTING
In St. Louis, nine people were shot over roughly 12 hours, with three killed.
Police said several of the incidents happened at gas stations, putting bystanders at risk, FIRST ALERT 4 reported.
One of the later shootings happened outside The Marquee Restaurant and Lounge in Downtown West around 2:30 am Saturday.
A 30-year-old man was shot by someone in a car driving through a nearby alley, and he remained in critical but stable condition.
Owner Andre Stith said the violence hit close to home at the family-run business, which has been part of the neighborhood for 12 years, NBC affiliate KSDK reported.
“Don’t come here to my business where I’m trying to feed my family, provide something, entertainment for the city,” he said.
Earlier in the day, a 15-year-old was shot at a BP gas station in the Tiffany neighborhood.
Police said that shooting appeared to be self-defense after the teen pointed and fired a gun at a man, who shot back.
One shooting in Soulard followed a fight at a gas station, where a 21-year-old man was killed and two others were hurt.
Another erupted in North City, where 31-year-old Phillip Campbell was shot dead and another man was injured.
