Fort Worth shooting: Dramatic video captures chaos at ComoFest two of three victims identified

Follow updates on the July 4 gun violence in Fort Worth including the mass shooting at ComoFest

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Dramatic footage has captured the chaotic moment that gunfire erupted at Fort Worth’s ComoFest on the eve of July 4, leaving three victims dead.

The video shows terrified revellers fleeing as shots are fired into the crowd.

Police in Fort Worth, Texas, said that no suspects have been identified but that “several unknown males were reported to have started firing into the crowd indiscriminately and then fled the scene”.

Two of the three victims killed were identified on Tuesday as Cynthia Santos, 22, and Paul Willis, 18.

The incident marked just one of four shootings that left at least 17 people shot – three of them fatally – in Fort Worth, Texas, on the night of July 3.

The other three shoootings took place at a home, an AMC movie theatre, and in a car.

Following a wave of shootings this week, President Joe Biden renewed his calls for Congress to act and “come to the table on meaningful, common sense reform” on gun control.

Key points

• Dramatic video shows chaos of shooting
• 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
• President Biden releases statement on July 4 gun violence

[5 July 2023 10:00 · Graig Graziosi]

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

“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.

[5 July 2023 10:20 · Rachel Sharp]

Dramatic footage captures chaos as gunfire erupted at Fort Worth’s ComoFest

[5 July 2023 11:00 · Graig Graziosi]

ICYMI: President Biden releases statement on July 4 gun violence

“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.”

[5 July 2023 11:20 · Rachel Sharp]

No suspects identified

Police said on Tuesday that no suspects have been identified over the shooting that left three dead and several more injured in Fort Worth, Texas, on the eve of July 4.

However, the investigation so far indicates that there were several male shooters firing into the crowd.

“Several unknown males were reported to have started firing into the crowd indiscriminately and then fled the scene,” Fort Worth police said in an update on Tuesday.

None of the victims injured are regarded as suspects in the shooting, police said.

[5 July 2023 11:50 · Rachel Sharp]

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

“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.”

[5 July 2023 13:00 · Graig Graziosi]

America’s gun violence in numbers

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.

[5 July 2023 14:00 · Graig Graziosi]

Two victims identified in Forth Worth mass shooting

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.

[5 July 2023 15:00 · Rachel Sharp]

Over in the nation’s capital: Nine victims injured in drive-by shooting in Washington DC

Nine people, including two children, have been injured in a “targeted” drive-by shooting in Washington DC while the nation’s capital was celebrating the July 4 holiday.

The DC Metropolitan Police Department said that residents were enjoying Independence Day festivities on Meade Street in the northeast area of the city when someone in a dark SUV drove opened fire on them at around 1am ET.

Assistant Chief Leslie Parsons said in an early morning press conference that the dark-coloured SUV was driving through the area when it suddenly “stopped and it fired shots in the direction of some of our residents that were outside, just celebrating the fourth of July”.

Read the full story:

[5 July 2023 16:00 · Rachel Sharp]

WATCH: CCTV shows dozens running for cover during Fort Worth shooting