Fort Worth police said late Monday that they are investing the deaths of two people that occurred during separate but related shootings on the city’s eastside when an argument between up to 20 people led to gunfire.
The identities of the two people were not immediately disclosed and investigators said the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office would release that information.
The initial investigation began at 2:13 p.m. when the department’s East Division officers were working on a unrelated case and heard gunshots coming from the 1500 block of Liberty Street, according to a police statement.
The officers found a person on the ground and suffering from several gunshot wounds. The victim died at the scene, the police statement said.
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As officers were investigating that incident, the department received another report of gunfire in the 1700 block of Handley Drive about 2:18 p.m., according to investigators.
Police found a victim at the location inside a parked vehicle and also suffering from a gunshot wound. That person was rushed for medical treatment to a local hospital but died shortly after arrival, according to police.
Police said someone from inside the vehicle was seen running from the scene but was found a short time later at a nearby home. Official did not immediately identify that person or say if they have been arrested.
According to investigators, a group of 15 to 20 people were gathered at a city park at 1500 Liberty Street when an argument escalated into a fight before someone in the crowd pulled out a gun and began firing.
Police did not immediately publicly disclose what the argument was about.
“At this time, evidence suggests the shootings are related, and there are no known threats to the community,” the police statement said. “Homicide Detectives are interviewing all possible witnesses and following leads to identify and apprehend the suspect.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-392-4222. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Tarrant County Crime Stoppers by visiting 469tips.com or calling 817-469-8477, according to the police statement.