In only a few hours time on Saturday evening, eleven people were shot in Detroit, one fatally. Ten of those were hit as they attended a block party in the Motor City. An eleventh person was shot in a separate incident only a short time later.
Three of those shot at the party were young women, ages 30, 45, and 26.
Killed was 19-year-old Malik Jones, who took multiple wounds. Jones was already recovering from being shot in May, and police say he was likely the intended target.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig said the shooters fired at least 47 rounds in an act that appeared to be a gang-style retaliation.
“These are urban terrorists that do nothing positive for our neighborhood. And it must stop now,” Chief Craig said.
Both alleged attackers are described as black men, one with a light complexion and one with a medium complexion. Police are asking anyone with information to call 313-596-1616.
In a second incident only about an hour later, a man was shot in the 20200 block of Van Dyke on the city’s east side.
Detroit homicides were up nearly 25 percent from 2014 during the first three months of 2015.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.