GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Police are investigating the tenth shooting in the last five days.
The latest occurred at Joe Taylor Memorial Park at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, according to the police.
Witnesses say there were children cooling off on the splash pad when the shot was fired.
"It sounded just like a firecracker," recalls Alexandra Cavasos. "Then we just saw everybody running. A whole bunch of kids running."
Police have not yet found the suspect, however, officers recovered a firearm.
Police attempted to stop a red Chevy that was speeding away from the park. The vehicle did not stop, but a black male wearing a white t-shirt and black pants exited the car and ran from officers.
There were multiple officers close to the park and they responded quickly to the victim. He is a man in his twenties with a gunshot wound in the back, according to the police.
The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Investigators are currently working on the case and are following up on multiple leads.
“This latest shooting symbolizes everything we have been saying and feeling the last few days. A shooting in a park named after one of our fallen officers, in a neighborhood that is fed up with the senseless violence," David Kiddle, the Interim Grand Rapids Police Chief said.
Kiddle asks anyone with information to contact the department or Silent Observer.
Today's latest shooting comes after nine other shootings in Grand Rapids in five days. Here is everything you need to know about these acts of violence.
First shooting
- Saturday, June 22 at 10:30 p.m.
- Shots fired into a home near Liberty St. SW
- No one was hurt
- A suspect was arrested
Second shooting
- Sunday, June 23 at 1:00 a.m.
- Shots were fired into a crowd near Wealthy Street and Ethel Avenue
- No one was hurt
- There is no information on the suspect
Third shooting
- Sunday, June 23 at 2:00 a.m.
- Shots were fired at a home on Temple Street and Butler Avenue
- A 10-year-old girl was hurt
- There is no information on the suspect
Fourth shooting
- Sunday, June 23 at 3:00 a.m.
- Shots were fired after an argument on Division Avenue and Burton Street
- Two people were shot after a man approached their car
- There is no information on the suspect
Fifth shooting
- Monday, June 24 at 2:20 a.m.
- Shots were fired in a home on Oakdale Street
- No one was hurt
- There is no information on the suspect
Sixth shooting
- Tuesday, June 25 at 3:30 a.m.
- A woman was shot in her leg in her car on Dickinson Street
- There is no information on the suspect
Seventh shooting
- Tuesday, June 25 at 3:30 a.m.
- Shots were fired in a home on Jenette Street
- No one was hurt
- There is no information on the suspect
Eighth shooting
- Tuesday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m.
- Shots were fired in a home on Corinne Street
- A man is in critical condition
- Police are searching for the suspect
Ninth shooting
- Tuesday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m.
- Shots were fired into two houses on Lynch Street
- No one was hurt
- There is no information on the suspect
Tenth shooting
- Wednesday, June 26 at 2:30 p.m.
- The victim was shot in the back with non-life threatening injuries at Joe Taylor Memorial Park
- The police have the gun from the suspect, but the suspect is still at large
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