As the investigation continues into last weekend's shooting in Syracuse that injured nine people, a new question has been raised.

How was such a large gathering allowed to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Current state-mandate limits crowd to 25 people, but organizers say nearly 1,000 people attended Saturday's "Rye Day" celebration where the shooting took place.

Local and state officials said organizers should be held accountable.

The party’s namesake, Ryedell Davis, said he believed he was hosting the party legally after getting approval from the Near Westside Initiative and providing masks, hand sanitizer and security.

Youth Pastor Nitch Jones, who attended, said he thinks the focus is in the wrong place.

"We should be focusing on those nine lives that are in the hospital or recovering from gun shot wounds," Jones said. "We should be focusing on trauma response, we should be focusing on the shooter."

According to the Near West Side Initiative, their policies were not followed when the event was accepted.

They said they are fully cooperating with the police and have accepted the resignation of the executive director.