11 shot, two fatally, in five-day span

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - In less than one week, 11 people have been shot across the city. Two of them did not survive and the attackers remain on the run.

Neighbors and community leaders say they aren't letting fear stand in the way of justice and they are committed to making this a safe space by not only making the physical park safe for families, but also making sure that community members know they have a safe space to come forward and speak out against violence.

Wednesday's event at MLK Park was designed to strengthen confidence in the city and urge people to come forward. There has been a spike in violence in Buffalo and police need to try and stay ahead of any possible retaliation.

Beginning with the shooting of five people at MLK Park last Saturday night, a total of 11 victims have been shot in Buffalo in five different locations. The latest burst of gunfire was a drive-by shooting of a 19-year-old on Gatchell Street, just after midnight on Wednesday.

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>> The wave of violence began with the MLK Park shootings Saturday night. One person has died, and another victim, a mother of six, lost an eye

>> Hours later, in the very early hours on Sunday, Samantha Cothran was shot and killed and one other person was injured on Minnesota Avenue

>>Two people were shot on Oakmont Avenue, one in the arm and one in the leg, during this five-day period

>> Tuesday afternoon, in broad daylight, one person was wounded when they were shot on Brinkman Avenue

>> Finally, Wednesday morning a 19-year-old was targeted by a drive-by shooter

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Police say they are making progress in their investigations, but need those with any information to come forward.

Tuesday night on Minnesota Avenue, the community came together for a prayer vigil, after 23-year-old Samantha Cothran was shot and killed.

Her boyfriend, Dwight Barlow, said, "Something needs to be done. It has to stop. A good person was taken from this world, for nothing."

It is how we, as a community react to this violence, said the speakers, that will determine whether or not we turn our neighborhoods over to those who seek solutions with guns.

Murray Holman, who rides through neighborhoods with a "Stop the Violence" message, was first on the scene on Brinkman Avenue Tuesday, as a man lay shot in the street. Holman talked about the most alarming trend that he sees.

"Now it's younger boys that's killing right now, not the old 16 and 17-year-old. You got 12 and 13-year-olds that's out here jockeying for position. Drugs is a key part to this thing here," he argued.

Buffalo Police say gunmen will often have a target in mind, but that sometimes people nearby get hit. That could be the case in the five MLK Park shootings. Anti-violent groups are hoping the clergy and the media will send out this message to would-be killers.

>> See more images from the rally at MLK Park here

Holman said, "Enough is enough in our city, and we're going to take it back."

Anyone with information on these unsolved crimes is urged to come forward. You can call or text the Buffalo Police confidential tip line at 847-2255.