Authorities are currently on the lookout for at least one suspect who opened fire on a group of teenagers, leaving five of them injured, with one in critical condition. The incident occurred during a water gun fight that took place on Friday, as part of the “senior skip day” celebrations at a park in Greenbelt, Maryland, according to officials.
“These kids, who were enjoying their senior skip day, had simply wanted to have a great time at a nearby park,” expressed Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers during a news conference held later that Friday evening. He further added, “The fact that such an incident took place is truly infuriating.”
According to Ricardo Dennis, a spokesperson for the Greenbelt police, a large group of teenagers who had decided to skip school for a customary event had originally congregated in Bowie, Maryland.
About 500 students regrouped at Schrom Hills Recreation Center in Greenbelt after both Bowie and Prince George’s County police dispersed the crowd, according to Dennis. The gathering was informally arranged on social media, authorities noted.
According to Bowers, students will be leaving school and making their way to the park armed with super soakers and squirt guns to have a fun-filled time engaging in water gun battles. He also mentioned that teenagers had organized a similar water gun fight last year without any untoward incidents.
According to Bowers, the Schrom park was quite small and had a high number of teenagers packed into a limited area. As a result, the officers called for additional support.
According to Bowers, officers were closely monitoring the water gun fight when they suddenly heard live shots, indicating that someone had brought an actual gun. Bowers revealed that approximately eight to ten shots were fired, prompting immediate action to secure the area as officers began their search for the suspect.
According to Dennis, the park cleared out as the police arrived, and one person who was seriously injured was transported to a nearby hospital by air. Additionally, four other victims were hospitalized with injuries that are serious but not life-threatening.
During the evening news conference, authorities revised their earlier report, stating that only one of the victims remains in critical condition.
Police stated that two of the shooting victims were below 18 years old, while the remaining three were over 18.
According to investigators, it is believed that the suspect escaped the park alongside the other teenagers. The police are currently conducting an investigation to determine if the gun was discharged by one of the participants in the water gun fight.
“This is an incredibly tragic and senseless act that occurred today. There is absolutely no justification for such an event. It is disheartening to see that this kind of senseless violence continues to persist in our society. It is imperative that we take action to put an end to it,” expressed Bowers.
