Mount Vernon police are on the hunt for the person they say fired shots Friday evening near a gun violence awareness event.

Detectives say police were already outside the Doles Center for the National Gun Violence Awareness Day event near 6th Avenue and 4th Street when they heard the gunfire.

Police tried to chase down the suspect but they were never caught.

The incident happened as Mount Vernon and other cities around the Hudson Valley are trying to prevent gun violence in their communities.

Despite the shots-fired incident having occurred in such proximity to a gun violence awareness event, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said the number of shootings so far this year are actually down from last.

"As we continue to do community programs, we continue to lift up gun violence prevention," she said, adding that the incident did not put a damper on the community event's festivities.

"We didn't allow it to stop our day of celebration. It's just more reason for us to continue doing our events," Patterson-Howard said.

Police say no one was hit by the gunfire and that there was no evidence of property damage.

Residents said they want to see more gun buyback events in Mount Vernon, especially during times of gun violence awareness.

Police say no one was hit by the gunfire and that there was no evidence of property damage.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Mount Vernon Police Department Detective Division at 914-665-2510. All calls will be kept confidential.

Anyone can also submit an anonymous tip via the department's “Text-A-Tip” by texting “MVPD” and the tip to 847411.