Manhunt continues after shooting spree

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A manhunt continues Monday, for the gunman responsible for a weekend shooting spree that injured five people in Buffalo.

In the last two weekends, nearly a dozen people have become shooting victims in Buffalo. Buffalo’s latest shooting victims were shot at a park, with plenty of daylight left.

After five people were shot at MLK Park Saturday night, neighbors have had enough.

Deborah Smith’s granddaughter was in the park, she said, “This is too close to my home and if these kids can't play in the park, and can't be protected, why do we have a park?”

According to police a man walked up to a group of people at a picnic shelter and opened fire with a semi-automatic gun. Five people were hit and two people are still in critical condition at ECMC.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “Those families whose mothers, grandmothers, aunts, nieces on this Mother’s Day are changed forever.”

Mayor Byron went back to the park Sunday to tell people they shouldn't be afraid of this happening again.

“You can run, but you can't hide, you shouldn't feel comfortable anywhere you go in this community,” said Brown.

Police Commissioner Dan Derenda says the department is committed to finding the gunman.

Derenda said, “You can't stop people from doing stupid things, we can't stop everybody from doing things this outrageous and it is outrageous to shoot into a crowd where there's children at a party at a picnic is just mind boggling.”

Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita says good things happen when the community comes forward.

Sedita said, “When people come forward and tell us what happened, we can aggressively prosecute the people who commit these outrageous crimes and put them in jail for the rest of their lives.”

Community organizers are trying to hold a picnic at MLK Park later Monday afternoon, to come together against violence.

Police describe the suspect as a black male, about 5’10” and 180 pounds. He was said to be wearing a dark hoodie and light jeans.

Police are taking confidential phone calls and texts at 847-2255.