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Syracuse Grieves After Violent Day: 22-Year-Old Junito Ebk Killed in City’s Deadliest Shooting in Recent Memory

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Syracuse Grieves After Violent Day: 22-Year-Old Junito Ebk Killed in City’s Deadliest Shooting in Recent Memory

SYRACUSE, NY — A wave of violence swept through Syracuse on Sunday, leaving four people shot in less than 15 hours. The most devastating of these incidents occurred at 6:10 p.m., when 22-year-old Junito Ebk was found with a gunshot wound on Westmoreland Avenue, across from Parkside Commons apartments. He was rushed to Upstate University Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

His body had reportedly collapsed just feet from the entrance of the residential complex. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with residents rushing to windows and the sound of sirens echoing moments later. The stark image of Junito lying motionless across the pavement has now become a haunting symbol of a city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence.

Junito’s death marked the fourth shooting in Syracuse within a span of less than 15 hours, underscoring what community members and leaders alike are calling a public safety crisis. Prior to the Westmoreland Avenue shooting:

  • A man in his 30s was shot in the leg earlier that morning.
  • A 20-year-old was shot in the back, requiring emergency medical treatment.
  • Just before Junito’s shooting, an 18-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back.

Each of these incidents is being investigated separately, but the close timing and geographic proximity have shaken residents, many of whom no longer feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

Who Was Junito Ebk?

While details about Junito’s personal life remain private, tributes online describe a young man full of ambition, loyalty, and streetwise intelligence. He was known in his community for his charisma, sharp sense of humor, and the respect he gave to those around him. To friends and family, he was not just another statistic—he was a brother, a son, and a friend whose life was taken too soon.

Social media platforms have since been flooded with messages of love, grief, and anger, mourning his loss while calling for justice and change.

“Rest in peace, Junito. You didn’t deserve this,” one post read.

“We love you, bro. Syracuse lost one of the realest,” another friend shared.

Syracuse has faced increasing challenges with gun violence in recent years, especially among youth and in historically underserved neighborhoods. These latest shootings have only intensified calls for:

  • Stronger gun control measures, especially targeting illegal firearms.
  • More youth outreach programs, mentorship, and safe community spaces.
  • Enhanced policing efforts, with an emphasis on building trust within communities rather than fear.
  • Mental health and trauma support for victims, families, and residents affected by chronic exposure to violence.

Community leaders, including local clergy and anti-violence advocates, are urging city officials to treat the crisis like a public health emergency. Vigils and emergency meetings have already been proposed in response to Junito’s death.

As of now, no arrests have been made in any of the four shootings. The Syracuse Police Department is actively investigating all incidents and is encouraging anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with tips can contact the Syracuse Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division or make anonymous reports through local Crime Stoppers services.

The lives impacted by Sunday’s violence cannot be reduced to headlines. For the families now planning funerals instead of celebrations, the trauma is profound and the pain immeasurable.

To the family of Junito Ebk, and to the loved ones of all those affected by the shootings, we extend our deepest condolences. May your strength guide you through these dark hours, and may your communities rally around you in support.

Junito’s name now joins too many others lost to senseless violence in Syracuse. His memory, however, will not fade. It will fuel the calls for change, and—hopefully—inspire the solutions that are so urgently needed.

If you would like to honor Junito’s memory, community members are organizing a candlelight vigil near Parkside Commons in the coming days. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.

Let us remember: behind every siren and every headline is a human being—with a story, a family, and a future that deserved protecting.

Rest in Peace, Junito Ebk. Gone too soon, never forgotten.

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LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA — Double Fatal Shooting at Super 1 Foods Sparks Ongoing Investigation LAFAYETTE, LA (June 18, 2025) — A regular weekday morning at the Super 1 Foods grocery store in Lafayette turned into a scene of chaos and horror as a shocking act of gun violence erupted, leaving two individuals dead and a community shaken to its core. The incident occurred at the Super 1 Foods located at 215 Willow Street, just a few miles north of downtown Lafayette, and has since drawn intense public attention and a swift law enforcement response. According to the Lafayette Police Department (LPD), officers were dispatched to the supermarket shortly after 11:30 a.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired inside or near the entrance of the store. Upon arrival, officers discovered two adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel were immediately summoned to the scene and worked to stabilize the victims before transporting them to a nearby hospital. Tragically, both victims succumbed to their injuries shortly after arrival at the medical facility. Their identities have not yet been publicly released pending notification of next of kin. However, law enforcement officials have confirmed that the victims appear to have known one another, and initial information suggests that the shooting may not have been a random act. The area surrounding the store was quickly cordoned off, and the business was evacuated as officers secured the scene. Shoppers and employees were visibly shaken, with many describing a terrifying scene of panic and confusion as gunfire rang out. “I heard what sounded like popping noises — maybe three or four shots — and then people started yelling and running,” said one witness, a shopper who had just arrived in the parking lot. “It was chaos. I saw someone lying on the ground and store employees rushing to help.” The Lafayette Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, along with Crime Scene Investigators (CSI), has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators were seen collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing surveillance footage from both inside and outside the store. While no official suspect description has been released, LPD confirmed that they are actively pursuing leads and following up on witness statements. As of now, no arrests have been announced, and it remains unclear whether the shooter is among the deceased or remains at large. LPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Robin Green spoke at a brief press conference held at the scene: “This is a tragic and deeply disturbing incident, and our detectives are working tirelessly to determine exactly what led to this senseless act of violence. We ask for the community’s patience and cooperation as we process a large and very active crime scene.” Authorities are urging anyone who may have been in or around the store at the time of the shooting to contact the Lafayette Police Department at (337) 291-8600 or to submit information anonymously through Lafayette Crime Stoppers at (337) 232-TIPS (8477). The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police have not confirmed whether the victims were specifically targeted or if others may have been in danger during the incident. Surveillance footage is expected to play a critical role in piecing together a timeline and identifying any suspects or persons of interest. In the wake of the tragedy, the Super 1 Foods store has been closed for the remainder of the day, with company representatives offering condolences to the families of the victims and expressing support for employees affected by the traumatic event. Counseling services are reportedly being arranged for staff members who were present at the time of the shooting. The Lafayette community, already grappling with rising concerns over public safety and gun violence, has responded with an outpouring of shock and grief. Civic leaders, including Mayor-President Josh Guillory, have issued statements calling for unity and a renewed focus on community-based violence prevention. “Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of two lives taken far too soon,” Guillory stated. “We will not allow violence to define who we are. We must come together — as neighbors, as families, as a city — and support one another during this time.” A candlelight vigil is being planned by local community groups for later this week, with more details expected to be announced as the victims’ families finalize arrangements. As police continue to investigate this devastating act, the residents of Lafayette are left grappling with the question that too often follows such events: Why? And perhaps more importantly: What can be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again? This story is developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.