Footage
Yesterday night, I went downtown by the bridge to watch the Fireworks. There was a massive crowd. It was crammed so wall-to-wall not everyone could see. People were hot and restless.
After the fireworks, the tension was leading to several small fights. By Rosa Parks Circle, there was a band, We the Kings. Not long after the music was playing, a crowd started mobbing a nearby parking lot’s corner, seemingly for a fight. I didn’t get too near, maybe 30 feet away, but I followed my friend who was right up in there – THATS WHEN IT HAPPENED – like fireworks, which is all I would have guessed it was – except it was gun shots.
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a crowd dissemble in panic: it’s a goddamn stampeding herd. I had to stand where I was to avoid trampling, pressed against an iron gate. A specific panic of death was in the air; I found my friend and her friends and we got out. Before I had walked nearly 3 blocks away, mind focused on the people I’m with to get to safety, I look over to see my own brother standing next to me at the cross walk. I had no idea he was even downtown.
Check out the police report: http://grcentral.wzzm13.com/news/news/update-two-shot-after-grand-rapids-fireworks/59376
“Police immediately began to evacuate the hundreds of people still in the area. Belk says that one of the victims was transported to Spectrum Butterworth by ambulance; the other was taken to the same hospital by friends.”
THIS IS A LIE. No one was on the scene for the initial shot. The police and the city were not prepared for the amount of people downtown.
In good news, GR pools open today.
That was the first time all day I had seen my brother, didn’t know he was even downtown. While the initial stampede was happening, I tried to help a distressed woman with a stroller and a daughter but before I even reached her she had the baby in one arm and thrust the stroller out (the stroller got stuck in the parking lot; she had been hiding for cover by a car, I was told)
That was the first time all day I had seen my brother, didn’t know he was even downtown. While the initial stampede was happening, I tried to help a distressed woman with a stroller and a daughter but before I even reached her she had the baby in one arm and thrust the stroller out (the stroller got stuck in the parking lot; she had been hiding for cover by a car, I was told)
I am glad you hugged your brother . You are a great son!
I am glad you hugged your brother . You are a great son!
Tommy Dee – from the cover of busted to leading news man.
Tommy Dee – from the cover of busted to leading news man.