Deadly Mass Shooting At Illegal Block Party In Detroit: 100 Shots Fired, No Suspects Yet

DETROIT — More than 100 shots were fired by multiple shooters at an illegal block party that left two people dead and 19 others wounded over the weekend in Detroit, officials said at a Monday news conference.

Police said the shooting happened at 2:25 a.m. in the area of Reno Street and Rossini Drive, near East State Fair and Gratiot avenues, where hundreds gather for what police are saying was an illegal block party.

A 21-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were killed in the shooting, according to police. They have not yet been identified.

The other victims are aged between 17 and 28, according to police.

Almost half the shooting victims were from neighboring cities, including St. Clair Shores, Southfield and Warren, according to police.

As of Monday afternoon, no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting and police have not identified the shooters. A possible motive for the shooting was also not discussed.

Police were also still working to determine how many people were at the party. Police said investigators were talking to roughly 300 people in connection with the shooting.

"The level of violence resulting from block parties in recent weeks has increased to an unacceptable level that has now turned tragic," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. "Chief White and I have been in constant communication over the past two days, and we have a strategy we both are confident will make sure block parties in the city are held legally and safely."

Officers also received nine weapons from the scene, including a Glock switch, which turns a gun into an automatic weapon, police said.

Police said the block party was not sanctioned by city officials. Rather, it was organized through social media with some people arriving from 50 miles away, according to police.

Police plan to crack down on illegal block party's in the city by deploying at least 80 officers to drive through neighborhoods and look for illegal parking, any kind of disorderly conduct and people carrying weapons.

Police also urged the community to call 911 if they see a gathering beginning to develop by people they don't know, especially if they're showing up in Ubers.

Block party calls will now also be elevated to a level 1, meaning officers will respond quickly to the disturbances. Block party calls were typically a level 3 response, though some were level 2 and level 1, police said Monday.

"We ask for the public’s help in shutting down the illegal block parties in the early stages before problems develop," Detroit Police Chief James White said. "Anyone who sees an unpermitted block party, or one that is spilling over the front yard or illegally parking on the streets, sidewalks, or lawns, call 911 immediately. DPD will treat this as a priority 1 call. Please work with us to keep your neighborhoods safe."

The mass shooting was part of a deadly July 4 weekend in Detroit, where at least 27 people were shot in six separate shootings, which includes three who were shot dead.

"Block parties used to be good, clean fun. But now many of them are venues of death, fear, violence, and destruction. Should we have to regulate them? No. Must we? Absolutely yes. I will have more to say about this particular potential case when a warrant request is brought to my office after a completed investigation," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.

Police are still investigating the shooting and asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-773-2587.