FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth police responded to numerous shooting calls overnight where several people were shot and at least two people died.
One suspect has been arrested so far in connection with a shooting at a car wash on West Cleburne Road.
Police responded to the shooting at about 11:40 p.m. in South Fort Worth. One man was shot in his lower body, police say, and was taken to a local hospital where he died.
During that same time frame, police say five other shooting victims were taken by private vehicles to a hospital with injuries from the same shooting.
Two of the shooting victims were a 15-month-old girl and a 4-year-old girl, police say. Both victims died from their injuries.
Three others were shot as well but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police say.
The suspect, 26-year-old Kanard Trent Murphy, has been charged with capital murder of multiple persons, police say.
A fight had broken out between the suspect and one of the victims, police say, and the suspect then began shooting at that victim and others present.
Murphy was also shot during the incident. Police say he is at a local hospital being evaluated.
Identities of the victims will be released once next of kin have been notified, police added.
The first shooting scene happened in the area of Castleman Street and another happened on Eastland Street in southeast Fort Worth. This shooting scene spans more than four blocks and at least one person died in this incident, police told WFAA. According to Fort Worth police, people in the area were celebrating the Fourth of July and a "chaotic scene" ended with deadly gunshots. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner identified the victim as 26-year-old Marcus Martin Jr.
"My heart breaks for the families who are waking up after the 4th of July, a day meant for celebration, to grieve the loss of young lives taken from senseless crime,” said Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes in a statement. “We share in their grief and remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.”
The initial 911 call reported a man was having a heart attack, but when officers got to the scene a little after 11:30 p.m., there were drivers doing donuts in the intersection and fireworks were being set off. Police said several people were shot, but there was not an exact number. One witness WFAA spoke with said it was hard to distinguish between gunfire and fireworks.
"All I heard was [pop noises], and I saw people running," the witness said. "I'm not knowing what is going on ... I'm thinking it's a new firework."
Fort Worth police said they are not sure why a gun was pulled or what led up to the shooting, but patrols were already increased in the neighborhood because they were expecting a crowd.
Police said they found one woman with a gunshot wound and a second victim who had suffered a medical emergency. Both died from their injuries. Their identities will be revealed once next-of-kin are notified.
Two other shooting victims were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to survive, police said.
The shooting happened after somewhere between 200 and 300 people took over several blocks of Castleman Street and were launching fireworks at neighboring homes, police added.
Police say they believe multiple people are responsible for the gunshots and are working to identify them.
Police are still investigating both cases. Anyone who may have information is asked to call Tarrant County Crimestoppers at 817-469-8477 or visit www.469TIPS.com. The report number for the Castleman Street shooting is 240052417 and the report number for the Cleburne Road shooting is 240052425.
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