Eight People Shot in Baltimore, One Fatally, Suspect at Large

By Staff, Agencies

One person was killed and seven more injured as a result of shooting in the US city of Baltimore, Maryland, local media reported.

The Baltimore Sun reported, citing officials, that a so-far-unidentified gunman opened fire — shooting indiscriminately — at a cookout at the intersection of Edmondson and Whitmore avenues.

One person was found dead near Perkins Square Baptist Church. The remaining six victims — men and women — were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The condition of the victims was not immediately known.

A police spokeswoman later Sunday evening told The Baltimore Sun that an eighth victim, a man with a gunshot wound to the leg, went to a hospital later, AP reported.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said a black male had approached a crowd on foot and began firing in what he called "a very tragic, very cowardly shooting", AP reported.

Harrison said the shooting appeared to be "extremely targeted" but he did not immediately elaborate on a possible motive.   

"It wasn't anything dealing with the church. I want to make that very clear", acting Mayor Jack Young said.   

The commissioner said there were two cookouts taking place on opposite sides of the street Sunday, and that shell casings were found in two different locations, indicating that there may have been a second gunman, or someone firing back at the first shooter, who fled on foot.

It was unclear whether the cookouts were related, Harrison said.   

AP earlier reported that police department spokeswoman Chakia Fennoy said authorities had received a call shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday reporting that multiple people had been shot.