Tyasia Manning and Phylicia Council id as fatal Rochester Park shooting victims at Maplewood Park in Upstate New York. No arrests.
New York Upstate authorities have identified the two women killed during a Sunday night shooting at Rochester Park that sent hundreds of people taking in the warm summer weather ‘running for their lives,’ when gunfire suddenly rang out Sunday night.
City worker Tyasia Manning, 25, and event planner Phylicia Council, 34, were identified by Rochester police as the two victims who died when gunfire rang out at Maplewood Park in upstate New York.
Manning died at the scene and Council succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital according to a news release from Rochester Police.
🚨#BREAKING: Multiple people, including possibly children, have been shot in a mass shooting at Maplewood Park, Rochester, NY.
Hundreds were gathered for an event when dozens of shots rang out, causing panic. Police and emergency crews are on the scene.… pic.twitter.com/SJQ3cxEEpc
— J Wise (@JWiseKingRa) July 29, 2024
Sudden shooting and stampede
Along with the two female fatalities, there were a further 5 individuals who were injured during the sudden onslaught of gunfire at park attendees circa 6:20 p.m.
‘People were in a celebratory mood enjoying the warm weather, having a good time,’ Mayor Malik Evans said during a press conference on Monday according to WHAM. ‘But yet we had cowards that decided to start shooting.’
Adding, ‘But all too often, we have individuals in this community, who are unmitigated cowards, who are OK with shooting women. And two of those women lost their life.’
The five other victims are expected to recover from their wounds.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said multiple weapons were fired during the shooting, but an exact number of suspects was not revealed. To date no arrests have been announced.
The crowd of people enjoying the barbeque stampeded from the park as the chaotic scene unraveled, according to footage posted online.
Officials are pleading with the public’s help to track down the shooters.
Authorities urge witnesses to step forward
‘You have an obligation to make sure you make your voice is heard because your family member could be the next Phylicia or Tyasia,’ Evans said.
Council owned an event planning business called ‘Imperfectly Perfect’ that puts on private events, her friend told the Democrat and Chronicle.
‘She didn’t deserve this,’ Turbo Lewis said. ‘She was a loving, caring, outgoing person. … It’s just sad.’
Manning worked with kids at the city’s Carter Street R-Center that focuses on youth programming. Department of Recreation and Human Services Commissioner Shirley Green told the Democrate and Chronicle, Manning was dedicated to her job and was known as ‘mama bear.’
‘The kids loved her and she loved the kids,’ Green said.
Flags at city facilities were flown at half-staff in her memory come Monday.
