By Cristian Carlos. Special for Pen Sula 360 Press [P360P]
The community is outraged after the death of an African-American man in a shooting in East Palo Alto. At least four people were wounded by gunfire during the shooting in a park where dozens of children were playing, police in this city reported.
At about 6 p.m., shots were fired near the Jack Farrell Playground, a block from the police station and Costano Elementary School. The ShotSpotter system alerted the first responding officers.
East Palo Alto interim Police Chief Jeff Liu said 30 shots were fired at Jack Farrell Park on Tuesday, May 17, where children ran for safety, calling for help. The victim, named Adams, was shot and killed. A video of a girl running from the playground as gunshots can be heard has since been posted on social media.
An officer discovered the fatal victim and transported him to an area hospital, but he died en route. Two other victims arrived at the Menlo Park Fire Station seeking paramedic treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a medical center. One victim at a Fordham Street address chose not to be treated.
Police said the shooting appeared to be targeted and not a random attack. Residents are believed to have heard the gunshots of three to five different guns.
The East Palo Alto City Council held an emergency meeting this Wednesday, the 19th, at 7 p.m. where they discussed with community representatives and authorities the escalation of violence in this and other communities.
Although he did not provide any new details of the investigation, Liu reiterated that it was an isolated case in the community; however, some members of the community had pointed out a case of clashes between gangs, which would explain the detonations of different weapons.
Additionally, at the meeting, the violent incident on Tuesday was condemned where