Two individuals were killed and five others were hurt in a late-night shooting in Yuma, Arizona, according to local authorities.
A number of young victims were taken to the hospital for treatment, but no suspect has been taken into custody as of yet.
According to ABC News, police were called to an allegation of an aggravated assault shortly before 11 p.m. local time.
South J Edward Drive in the Terra Bella neighborhood received a police response, according to Lt. Craig Johnson of the Yuma Police Department.
When they arrived, they discovered many victims of gunshot wounds at a gathering; according to the local radio station, it was a party for teens.
Two guys, 19 and 20, were declared deceased at Yuma Regional Medical Center, according to police.
The same hospital flew a 16-year-old boy to Phoenix to receive life-threatening injuries’ care.
According to Yuma police officials, four additional youths, ages 15, 16, 18, and 19, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The police department says “several off-duty law enforcement officers” who were in the area assisted with the response to the shooting.
The mother of one of the victims told the Z93 radio station: “My son attended a party in the foothills last night. A fight broke out, and shots were fired.”
“My son was caught in the crossfire and was shot in the leg. The bullet exited near the back of his knee. A bullet also grazed his arm. X-rays show that there is probably no serious damage, but they are keeping him overnight or at this point, day, for observation.”
The mother adds: “My kid attended a party like 15-year-olds do. Is this what is happening in Yuma now? I am sickened, saddened and pissed off. We need to do better.”
She adds that her son was not the target of the gunshot and that neither she nor anybody else knows what caused it. “Just in the wrong place at the wrong time” is how he put it.
Although the suspect is still at large, Lt. Johnson asserts that the neighborhood is not now under any genuine threat.
The shooting is still under investigation. The prize for information that results in an arrest is $1,000 cash. Calling the Yuma Police Department is requested by anyone with information.
