The Fourth of July weekend marked a return to larger gatherings and some normalcy. However, in some areas throughout the city, impromptu festivities boiled over as police continue to investigate three incidents with at least five people struck by gunfire. One man is in critical condition.

The worst of it came in the overnight hours Sunday in Syracuse along Craddock Street, where evidence markers continue to litter the community.

“Time the cops came was a little bit after midnight. It seemed to kind of, you know, chill out a little bit, and within five or 15 minutes after them leaving, there were there were gunshots and craziness,” recalled Colin Borland, Syracuse resident.

Colin Borland has lived in the Elmwood community in Syracuse’s Southside for more than three years. The excess and violence is growing less surprising to him in what he calls a “tight-knit community.”

Down the block, Frank Woodward has been around for more than 18 years. While he declined to go on camera, he confirmed that people in the neighborhood aren’t here for trouble, but that hasn’t stopped the violent outbursts and crime from seeping in.

“All around, this has gotten really bad. People running through the signs, playing their loud music, it's gotten really crazy,” said Woodward. “These people were not even residents of this neighborhood; I don't know where they came from.”

Community members like Woodward and Borland are looking for answers as to how to avoid the mindless acts of violence from happening around their corners again.

“I mean, for the most part, it's pretty good. We're a pretty close community here. We have each other's phone numbers, we have each other's names, we help each other out with yard work,” said Borland.

“Me and my neighbor, we watch the fireworks out here and everything, but now I’m just scared even bring them out,” said Woodward. “It's really bad, not just here on this side, everywhere. It's just gotten crazy.”