Two people are believed to have been killed and around 14 others injured following a mass shooting at a party in Rochester, New York.
Gunfire broke out in Rochester just after midnight on Saturday morning and was described by one witness as “sounding like the Vietnam War.”
A man and a woman, both aged between the ages of 18 and 22, died in the shooting, interim police chief Mark Simmons told reporters.
The 14 wounded people were taken to two different hospitals. Simmons said. None of them are believed to have life-threatening injuries.
“This is truly a tragedy of epic proportions,” said Simmons from near the crime scene, which appeared to stretch at least a block.
Officers responded to calls of shots fired and found “approximately 100 people” running from the scene. Before the call, police had not been aware of the party.
“This is yet another tragedy where individuals are having these illegal, unsanctioned house parties taking place in these properties, which — number one — is not safe because of COVID, because of the conditions. And then you add in alcohol and violence and it just becomes a recipe for disaster,” Simmons said.
The interim chief said no suspects were in custody, adding it was too early to tell whether there were multiple shooters.