DETROIT – The crime scene tape remained Monday, but it was the only reminder of the violence that broke out Sunday night on Gratiot Avenue near Whithorn on Detroit's east side.
Five people were shot. One of the victims is just 14 years old. They were attending what has been described as a large outdoor gathering or block party near a gas station and a normally busy intersection.
"What has driven these specific crime numbers has been, as of late, shootings at parties where there have been in excess of 200 people," said Detroit Police Chief James Craig. "That's become certainly an increasing concern for us. We're working diligently on getting intelligence as to why it happened."
Craig spoke out about the violence during a news conference on Monday. He also addressed other recent shootings over the past week. Overall, more than a dozen people have been shot at various parties across the city.
"I don't care what neighborhood we're talking about, there's always more good people who want their neighborhoods to flourish, then a very small percentage, very small percentage (who don't). So part of our strategy, and I'll be candid with that, is that we target those who are most likely to engage in violent activity," said Craig.
The block parties have been huge with 200 to 300 people in attendance. At the party on Sunday evening, police had just stopped by to check things out. Once officers left, the guns came out.
While the past few weeks have been violent, the chief points to year-to-date crime stats which show at this time in 2013 the city was worse off.
2015 year-to-date shootings:
- 139 homicides
- 475 non-fatal shootings
- 10 shot over the weekend
2014 year-to-date shootings:
- 128 homicides
- 473 non-fatal shootings
2013 year-to-date shootings:
- 150 homicides
- 546 non-fatal shootings
However, everyone agrees this trend of shootings is a problem.