One day later, Fenty set to address shootings

His office has just sent word that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) will hold a news conference at 9:15 tonight at the scene of last night's mass shootings to provide an update with Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

The announcement comes after Council Chairman Vincent Gray (D), the just-declared mayoral candidate, criticized Fenty for not being on hand Tuesday night.

In an interview with NewsChannel 8's Bruce DePuyt, Gray called the shootings "a horrific tragedy" and "dispiriting" in that it comes at a time when overall crime is down. He also told DePuyt that Fenty should have been there to reassure the public.

"The number one citizen, the mayor, has to be on the scene, to call attention to this, to decry the fact that it has happened, and -- with the chief -- talk about what steps will be taken," Gray said.

A Jamaican newspaper reported that Fenty was in the country over the weekend with his wife. But Fenty's aides would not confirm that he was traveling or say when he returned.