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

[4 July 2023 15:40 · Rachel Sharp]

Gun control group reacts to mass shooting: ‘Gun violence shouldn’t be as American as the 4th of July'

“It it feels like we can’t go a single day in the US without a mass shooting. We are the only industrialized country in the world that wakes up to news of a mass shooting, sometimes multiple, every single day. Unfortunately, because of the gun industry’s influence on our lawmakers, there is no place in America that’s safe from gun violence,” said Kris Brown, president of gun violence prevention organisation Brady.

“Gun violence shouldn’t be as American as the 4th of July. But the tragic reality is the July 4th weekend is often our country’s deadliest peak in gun violence. Already, 2023 is on track to set the record for the highest number of mass shootings of any year in US history.”

“If an assault weapon was indeed used in the Philadelphia shooting, its ability to gun down multiple people in a matter of seconds is indicative of why these weapons of war have no place in our communities. Highland Park, Ill. experienced a similar assault weapons shooting on this day last year. Unfortunately, 40 states, including Pennsylvania, still allow these weapons of war in our communities.

“This Independence Day, multiple families will be in mourning because of a uniquely American crisis that our policymakers refuse to address. Our hearts go out to the families and survivors of these horrific tragedies.”

[4 July 2023 16:00 · Rachel Sharp]

Fort Worth police ask public for help in tracking down shooters

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call the Fort Worth Homicide Unit at 817-392-4330 or crime stoppers.

If anyone has personal videos during the time of the shooting or events leading up to the shooting they are also being asked to contact police.

[4 July 2023 16:20 · Rachel Sharp]

Fort Worth rocked by second shooting on eve of July 4

The community of Fort Worth was rocked by a second shooting on the evening before the July 4 holiday.

Just over an hour before the mass shooting at ComoFest, Fort Worth Police were called to a separate incident where three men were shot.

It was just after 10pm on Monday night and police said a fight broke out between a group of people at a home in the 2100 block of Christine Avenue in the Polytechnic Heights area.

At least two people opened fire, striking three people.

Officers responded to the scene to find three men suffering from gunshot wounds – one in the head, one in the back and one in the leg.

All three were taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

[4 July 2023 16:40 · Rachel Sharp]

Fort Worth gathered for an annual July 4 festival. America’s latest mass shooting shattered the celebrations

July 4 is a time for parties, fireworks, hot dogs and vacations from work.

But this year, it was also a time marred by gun violence.

On Monday night, three people were killed and another eight injured when gunfire erupted at the end of an Independence Day celebration in Fort Worth, Texas.

The annual ComoFest was held in the Como neighbourhood, with hundreds of local residents gathering to watch the fireworks display – some of them never to return home again.

It marked just one of three shootings in Fort Worth on the eve of July 4, leaving a total of 17 dead or wounded across the city.

Here’s what we know so far:

[4 July 2023 17:00 · Rachel Sharp]

Shooting began as argument: sources

The mass shooting that left three dead and eight others injured in Fort Worth, Texas, unfolded when an argument escalated to gunfire, according to a report.

Sources told ABC11 that they believe the altercation escalated quickly but would not say if the shooting is thought to be gang related.

Many of the surviving victims are also refusing to cooperate with police, meaning police are relying on the public for help.

[4 July 2023 17:20 · Rachel Sharp]

Texas lawmaker responds to night of violence in home community

[4 July 2023 17:40 · Rachel Sharp]

July 4 shootings come on one-year anniversary of Highland Park massacre

The mass shootings in Baltimore, Fort Worth and Philadelphia during the July 4 holiday come one year on from the massacre at Highland Park, where a gunman killed seven during an Independence Day parade.

This July 4, the community is remembering those killed.

Read more here:

[4 July 2023 18:00 · Rachel Sharp]

Ted Cruz ignores Texas mass shooting and posts July 4 message

Texas Senator Ted Cruz ignored the latest mass shooting in his home state as he posted a July 4 message celebrating “the freedoms we are so blessed to share”.

[4 July 2023 18:20 · Rachel Sharp]

IN PICTURES: Fort Worth mass shooting

Scene of the mass shooting in Fort Worth (WFAA)

Police on the scene of the mass shooting (CBS)

[4 July 2023 18:33 · Graig Graziosi]

Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after ‘tragic and senseless’ spate of July 4 shootings

President Joe Biden has issued a fresh appeal for a ban on assault weapons after dozens of people were killed or wounded in mass shootings in the lead-up to Independence Day celebrations.

Five people were shot dead and two boys, aged two and 13, were injured when a gunman armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest opened fire in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighbourhood at around 8.30pm on Monday night, according to authorities.

Hours later, three died and 14 were injured in four separate shootings in Fort Worth, Texas.

Mr Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden were also grieving “tragic and senseless shootings” that had occurred in recent days in Baltimore, Lansing, Chicago and Wichita in a July 4 statement.