FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - City officials in Fort Lauderdale joined clergy and family members to address two recent drive-by shootings that resulted in the deaths of a toddler and two adults.

At a news conference held Wednesday at Riverdale Park, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bill Schultz, and District 3 City Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman spoke about the tragic events and ongoing investigations.

“This cannot be acceptable,” said Trantalis. “Violence cannot take root. This cannot be the new norm in our communities. We cannot allow it to continue to happen.”

Schultz pleaded with the community to come forward with information to help solve the recent shootings.

“We still need more information. We’re asking and pleading with our community to come forward with even more leads and more information,” he said.

The first incident occurred on July 8 in front of a convenience store near the 700 block of Northwest 10th Terrace. A drive-by shooting left two people dead and three others injured. Among the injured was a 2-year-old toddler, whose mother, Tiarra Holliday, was one of the two victims who died as a result of the shooting. Sheldon Lawrence, 45, also died from his injuries.

Crime Stopper flyer for 28-year-old Tiarra Holliday and 45-year-old Sheldon Lawrence who died in a drive-by shooting on July 8. (Courtesy: Broward Crime Stoppers)

Holliday’s son, Deagoo Henry, reportedly suffered a skull injury that required surgery, as well as a broken leg. The family of Deagoo set up a GoFundMe for the toddler, and they are still accepting donations.

The second shooting happened on July 21 at Riverdale Park, near the 900 block of Southwest 27th Avenue. A 3-year-old boy, later identified as Rylo Yancy, attended a birthday party and was fatally shot. According to officials, Yancy was shot while going down a slide during the birthday celebration.

Chastity Fort, a girl who was at the gathering, described what she saw.

“He was a little boy. He was going down a slide, and it was a gunshot his eye. And then my mom had him in [her] arms,” she said.

Rylo Yancy, 2, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting at Riverdale Park on July 21. (Courtesy: Broward County Crime Stoppers)

It’s a story no child should ever have to tell.

“I ran, but my uncle grabbed me,” said Fort.

Family members hope police can find the person behind the shooting that took his life.

“I already asked for forgiveness to who did this to my grandbaby, but I want them to have the audacity to turn themselves in,” said Jerrold Pough, the young victim’s grandfather.

A vehicle reportedly pulled up to the park, opened fire and then sped away. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Detectives have identified and recovered a vehicle involved in the July 21 shooting, but no arrests have been made.

Both incidents have prompted increased police activity and community calls for action to prevent further violence.

Beverly Isaacs, Yancy’s aunt, also spoke out at the news conference.

“I didn’t know it would be the last time I kissed Rylo,” she said as she fought back tears.

Now she calls for the the people responsible for the shooting to turn themselves in to the police.

“Whoever killed Rylo like this, they’re cowards,” she said. “The ones who were here, they know they need to turn themselves in.”

The family is calling for people to put the guns down and end the violence.

“These people, they need to put the guns down. Put them down, please put them down,” said Beverly.

“A baby,man, that’s a baby. Come on. Come on, guys. We gotta do better than this, guys,” said Marcus Isaacs, the uncle of the victim.

City officials, law enforcement officials and people in the community held hands during a prayer circle to pray for the victims of gun violence and their families.

“We don’t understand why bad things happen to good people,” said one official.

Investigators are certain someone knows who is behind the violence and can help close the case with a phone call.

“It is imperative that people reach out to us,” said Schultz. “Pre-event or post-event, even if it’s been weeks, your information is critical to us solving these crimes.”

Fort Lauderdale Police urge anyone with information about these shootings to come forward. Broward County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for the drive-by shooting that occurred on July 8 and a $10,000 reward for the July 21 drive-by shooting.

If you have any information on either of these shootings, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous.

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