DETROIT (AP) – A wall of silence surrounds a shootout at a block party in Detroit that left a 19-year-old gunman dead and 11 other people wounded, police Chief James Craig said Sunday from the site where about 300 people had barbecued and celebrated hours earlier.
Standing on basketball courts where the shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Chief James Craig said officers are seeking two men believed to have exchanged gunfire with the victim, Malik Jones. So far, he said, witnesses and the injured haven’t been much help.
“This is a passionate plea for the neighborhood to say something and step up,” Craig said, standing a few feet from a small child’s chair and a table. “These are urban terrorists … We are fortunate we don’t have any young children recovering from a gunshot wound.”
Residents have been reluctant to cooperate with police, the chief acknowledged, with witnesses apparently concerned that they may put themselves at risk.
“I understand the fear … but are we going to let these urban terrorists take over our city?” Craig asked. “This must end. We are fighting hard … but we cannot do it alone.”