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Chief Craig's message to celebratory New Year's Eve shooters: 'We've identified all of you.'

Viral video shows mass of celebratory gunfire
Posted at 5:38 PM, Jan 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-03 21:35:00-05

DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Friday during a press conference on 2019 crime statistics, that the 14 people shown in a viral video of celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve have been identified.

“If you think we’re playing around, we’ve identified all of you," he said.

The people in the video, taken on Warwick Street and Artesian, near Stahelin Avenue, belong to a local west side gang according to Detroit Police.

Seven of the 14 people are on parole, and two of them are on a tether according to Chief Craig.

"A belated Christmas gift you have coming. We’re going to violate your parole," he said, speaking directly to the suspected shooters.

None of the suspects, who police said are in their 20s, have been arrested yet.

Chief Craig said during the execution of a search warrant in the area related to the celebratory gunfire, detectives found a stolen Dodge Charger and around 250 shell casings.

“I have never seen anything like it. I am shocked that no one sustained a significant injury," he said.

Chief Craig said while the reports of shots fired on New Year's Eve was lower than it was last year, DPD received a high call volume in general on New Year's Eve, which is typical.

Due to the higher call volume, of 360 priority one calls compared to a daily average of around 220 priority one calls, officers were stretched and response times were slightly longer, approximately 20 minutes compared to 11-12.

Chief Craig said DPD did receive calls of shots fired in the area, but when officers arrived on scene the suspects were gone.

“It’s disturbing and an embarrassment to this city," he said of the video.

Several suspects are facing parole violations for firing a weapon, and others are facing additional charges, pending test results from on the collected shell casings.