Neighbors recall moments after Albany's July 4th shootings

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Police are still investigating after a series of shootings happened Friday evening in Albany, amid fourth of July celebrations. Thousands of people filled Empire State Plaza for the fireworks show; some of them said they saw the chaos erupt, and shared what they're looking for from both the city and local parents.

“Firstly, the fireworks were spectacular. The view from here was spectacular," said Mary Thomas Mertz.  

“Market 32 and Price Chopper do a magnificent job, its probably one of the best displays that you can see in Central New York," said Kevin Wieczenski.

Wieczenski brought his wife, five-year-old daughter, 13-year-old son and his girlfriend to the Empire State Plaza fireworks show Friday evening. He said they've been to the show in the past but took a break after someone threw a firework at him and his daughter a few years ago. This year, he said it wasn't much better.

“I witnessed people running some people falling, I saw a mother picking up her son from the ground as he was crying because he had fallen and tripped because they also started to run," said Wieczenski.

Wieczenski said he also saw people throwing fireworks into crowds and onto vehicles. Mary Thomas Mertz lives on Madison Avenue, close to the Empire State Plaza and got to watch the fireworks display from her front steps. However, she also lives across the street from where a shooting happened near 333 Madison Ave.

“My daughter said she wanted a glass of water so we went in the house to get our water bottles and I heard the shots," said Mertz. "I ran to the back of the house to get as many walls between me and whatever was happening out here."

Mertz said a sea of New York State Troopers then began running up the hill. According to police, a juvenile fired a flare gun toward 333 Madison Ave and another juvenile fired a handgun back, striking four people who were coming from the fireworks show. The victims were a 17-year-old who was critically wounded, a 17-year-old who was shot in the leg, a 62-year-old who was shot in the leg, and a 24-year-old who was shot in the leg.

“My daughter was shaking, she was literally shaking," said Mertz. "Because we were standing right here and right there is where the shots came from."

The flare gun then caused a massive fire to break out at the apartment building located at 333 Madison Ave.

"It's the fastest fire I have ever seen," said Mertz.

“The fire was bellowing out like rushing out, I haven't seen flames that thick in a long time," said David Winnie, who was walking on Madison Avenue at the time of the incident. "You could feel the heat from here, from this sidewalk right here, you could feel the heat."

Another shooting happened around 1 a.m. Saturday on Livingston Avenue and west of Henry Johnson Boulevard. Police said five people were sitting outside of the home when a group of juveniles allegedly walked up to the intended home and “fired a handgun with an odd determined number of rounds.”

All five victims were hit by rounds, including a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the arm, a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the legs, a 15-year-old girl who was shot in the leg, a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the arm, and a 41-year-old woman who was shot in the shoulder. All of the victims suffered injuries that were non-life-threatening, and they were all treated at Albany Medical Center.

Wieczenski said overall, he loved the fireworks show but he doesn't think he would bring his family back after their experience.

"You know, its kind of a reality check in an occasion you shouldn't really have to be worrying about that because we all love fireworks we all love independence and to be put in a situation like that where we feel like our independence is actually being taken away from the situation is kind of disheartening," said Wieczenski.

Many of the residents NEWS10's Vanessa Blasi spoke to said a lot has to be done to ensure this doesn't happen again. Jerry Sample has been living in Albany for 69 years and said this level of violence didn't always happen in this city.

"Its definitely gotten worse. When I was younger there was crime but now its just constantly violent crime, shootings, for whatever silly reason someone decides there is," said Sample. "I would just say a more stronger police presence on the streets, not just in the cars riding by get out walk, I remembered when I was young they had beat cops," said Sample.

"I really think our government – you can only do what you can do. And I think parents really have to step up a lot," said Mertz. "I think they really have to be a lot more involved and you know, they may have the greatest kids in the world but they have to know who their kids are hanging out with."

"The youth has got to do a better job at respecting the city. This is the city that we grew up in and live in and we should try to keep it safe and cool," said Winnie.

Another shooting also happened before the firework show started around 5:30 p.m. near North First Street and Jennings Drive. For more information on all of the shooting incidents visit our coverage here.

Police said currently no arrests have been made and all incidents are still under investigation. The apartment building that caught fire from the flare gun will have to be demolished. Workers on the site Monday said they're trying their best to save the apartment building next door, that now has heavy water damage. Stick with NEWS10 for updates on this story.