ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The police chief says the next 12-24 hours are crucial as they track down the suspects who opened fire at a crowded park Sunday night.

Hundreds had gathered for the picnic at Maplewood Park when more than a dozen shots rang out.

“There were babies there. There were people there with their kids. These individuals had no regard for that,” Chief David Smith said.

One woman was on Facebook Live when the shooting started. Videos across social media show people running in every direction, hiding behind trees, and ducking behind cars. The gunfire stopped and then started back up about 15 seconds later.

When it was over, people rushed to help one another until first responders arrived. Victims were carried out on stretchers and rushed to the hospital.

“People were in a celebratory mood, enjoying the warm weather, having a good time but yet we have cowards that decided to start shooting,” said Mayor Malik Evans.

The event itself had been publicized as a community gathering. As the day went on, the crowd grew.

“City security had been by a few times during the day for complaints of simply cars on the grass. Folks had been compliant, city security had seen no indication of people being disruptive, people being belligerent, it was a barbecue, we also have blue light cams in the area and it was monitored,” Chief Smith said.

And then all of the sudden, chaos.

“We know that the individuals responsible for this are known in this community,” Evans said.

Now, investigators have to find them.

“I continue to pray for all those affected and that we can all come together to put an end to the senseless loss of life and bring the suspects from this weekend to justice,” said Chief Smith.

Anyone who was at the barbecue or has any information is asked to contact the police. You can provide any information confidentially.

Phylicia Council, 34, and Tyasia Manning, 25, were killed in last Sunday night’s shooting. Manning was a city employee who worked with children at the Carter Street R-Center. The commissioner of Rochester’s Recreation and Human Services Department said Manning was great at reaching the kids with whom she worked.

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