MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis Mayor Paul Young released a statement about the fatal Sunday shooting at Tom Lee Park. Memphis Police say officers responded to a shots fired call at Riverside Drive and Beale Street at 6:46 p.m. on Sunday. Police say officers found a victim who had been shot. He was pronounced dead on the scene. ORIGINAL STORY: Teen fatally shot near Tom Lee Park, teen suspect on the run Mayor Paul Young released the following statement: This latest act of violence took place at Tom Lee Park – one of our city’s crown jewels. Our riverfront is meant to be a place of joy, connection, and community. The reckless violence carried out during a community event shattered that purpose. My prayers are with the victim, the witnesses, and the families affected by this senseless act. It is important to note that without advising MPD, event organizers elected not to have security in place for Sunday’s event. Thankfully, Memphis Police officers were staged just outside the event footprint and were able to respond within moments. Let me be clear: we will pursue prosecution of this crime – and all violent crimes – to the fullest extent of the law. Public spaces – especially our parks – should always feel welcoming, inviting, and safe. Taking steps to leave a life of violence should be met with peace and celebration. And playing in your yard should never be a dangerous endeavor. We are not giving in to chaos. We are not standing down. We will continue doing all the hard work necessary to make Memphis stronger and safer. And that means if you create mayhem in Memphis, we will find you and we will push for quick prosecution. We will win the war against violence in Memphis. This is a promise. ‘I’ll kill you’: Man accused of firing shots at 2 sisters Riverside Drive had been closed on Sunday for the Foodees Food and Culture Festival at Tom Lee Park. Memphis Police believe both the victim and suspect were teens between the ages of 15-18 years old. At last check, the person responsible for the shooting is still on the run. Man convicted in Memphis 2020 double homicide case Ron Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer of Foodees Food and Culture Festival, says the company is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Kennedy, there were three security officers and two staff members there to walk the premises and report issues, and there were at least eight Memphis police officers inside the festival. "There were more than eight police officers that were inside the festival area," Kennedy said. "So, it wasn't just that police officers were sitting there, they were actually inside, mingling and doing whatever. Part of the assumption I had was the reason there was such a large police presence was because we had reported to the police that we didn't have security and they were just helping us out." But ultimately, the city of Memphis said because the festival had rented out the park, they were also responsible for providing an adequate security plan. Tax deadline extended to November for TN residents affected by severe weather "We are working with all the organizers of our events moving forward, making sure that their security plan is firm, and I know that our teams are going to be ready," Young said. "I don't want us to be deterred. The work is not in vain, it's necessary, there are still so many young people that are dependent on us to get it right and I'm deeply committed as mayor of this city to making sure that we get it right, that we're holding people accountable, that we're getting the people off the street that are causing the chaos," said Mayor Young. Kennedy said 15 minutes before the event was over, he heard about six to eight shots about 60 yards outside, and the shooting happened by the restrooms at the park. "I put my eyes on the young man and I could clearly see that he was no longer with us and so my first thought was I need to get these kids out of here, I need to get these people out of here, we need to clear this out and that's what we did," Kennedy said. "It's senseless. It's a senseless act, senseless violence and a senseless loss." Memphis transplant nonprofit accused of mishandling donated funds The COO said they had a contract with a Memphis security company on Friday, but two of the armed security guards showed up intoxicated. He said one was "drunk" and one was "high on marijuana," so they brought in another company on short notice. "One of the biggest issues with the security being drunk was obviously [that] she had a firearm," Kennedy said. ‘Destroying the community,’ Memphis leaders debate over safety of xAI turbines Kennedy said despite the tragedy, he wants to come back to Memphis, and there is a much deeper issue when it comes to violence.   The Mayor also acknowledged that last week in Memphis five people were shot at an anti-violence event, a two-year-old little boy killed in a yard while playing catch, and on Sunday this incident occurred. "It makes me angry, it makes me sad,  it makes me frustrated because there are so many people who are working hard in our city to make it a better place and we have incidents like this that stand to set us back but we're not going to tolerate it," said Mayor Young. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH. ...read more read less