5 youngsters have been injured after gunfire rang out at a big gathering of highschool college students collaborating in a senior skip day in Maryland, police mentioned.
Officers from a number of legislation enforcement businesses have been responding to assist management a crowd of 500 to 600 college students who had gathered in Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt Friday afternoon once they heard a number of photographs ring out, in keeping with Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers.
5 male victims ranging between the ages of 16 and 18 have been situated with gunshot wounds, Bowers mentioned. All 5 victims have been transported to native hospitals. One is in essential situation and the opposite 4 are secure, Bowers mentioned.
Authorities reply to a taking pictures in a park in Greenbelt, Maryland, April 19, 2024.
WJLA
A suspect within the taking pictures is believed to have fled the park when the group dispersed following the gunfire and has not been situated presently, Bowers mentioned. Police consider there was just one shooter, he mentioned.
The police chief known as the taking pictures a “horrible, tragic, mindless act.”
“These have been youngsters on senior skip day who have been seeking to have a very good time in an area park, and to have one thing like this happen is simply maddening,” Bowers mentioned.
The scholars had initially gathered in Bowie, Maryland, for senior skip day and have been requested to disperse by native legislation enforcement, a Greenbelt Police Division spokesperson advised ABC Information. Lots of these college students then moved to Schrom Hills Park, the place they participated in a big water gun battle previous to the taking pictures, police mentioned.
Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan mentioned the gathering was “informally organized” on social media.
“We do not condone skipping faculty, but it surely’s the senior skip day,” Bowers mentioned. “It is only a tragedy.”
College students from a number of excessive colleges within the space are believed to have been on the park, the chief mentioned.
A motive stays unclear.
The taking pictures stays below investigation. Bowers urged anybody with footage from the incident to succeed in out to police. Investigators may also be trying over body-worn digital camera footage, he mentioned.
“We all know that the particular person concerned is unquestionably on a digital camera someplace,” Bowers mentioned.
