FORT WORTH, Texas — On Wednesday, the annual block party known as Comofest will be held in the historic Fort Worth neighborhood of Como, exactly one year after a mass shooting happened hours after the popular event ended.
Eleven people were shot just before midnight on July 3, 2023. Three of the 11 people shot died, officials had confirmed. And two men were eventually arrested in the case.
Event organizers have long stressed that the shooting happened well after Comofest had already ended but told WFAA security will still be heightened this time around.
In the hours leading up to Comofest, WFAA spoke with Jimmy Pollozino, the Public Information Officer for Fort Worth Police.
He said they’re using technology like cameras to keep the area safe. That’s on top of the heavy police presence.
“We wanted to make sure from that day moving forward, we have every resource available,” said Pollozani.
He said after Comofest wraps up, FWPD and several members of the neighborhood group Legacy will launch “Operation Homecoming”. From 10 pm – 2 am more police will be in the area, as well as vendors and DJs at the park. Legacy is the organizer of the event.
The group started Comofest four years ago to bring positivity to the neighborhood.
Carzell Wells is one of the members of the group. He said on Wednesday they want that positivity to spread across the entire community.
“Comofest is the 4 f’s. family, friendly, fun and free,” said Wells. “Our community was getting a bad reputation and childhood friends came together and decided we would form Comofest.”
"I can understand the level of trepidation based on what happened last year," Marcus Hudson said Tuesday. "But I can guarantee you the security measures will be tight." Hudson is also a member of Legacy.
"I think the best way we can honor those precious lives [of the victims] is being solution-based, so no other families will have to go through this," Hudson said.
Fort Worth Police said in a release their plan "includes increased police presence and the use of advanced technology to ensure the safety of residents, officers, and visitors," but did not elaborate on what that advanced technology is.
Comofest celebrates the history of the storied neighborhood with food, live music, and vendors.
Alcohol and guns are also prohibited, organizers said. Hudson told WFAA they're expecting up to 3,000 people Wednesday.