According to police, a senior skip day in Maryland took a turn for the worse when gunfire erupted, leaving five teenagers injured.
According to Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers, officers from various law enforcement agencies were called in to assist in managing a crowd of 500 to 600 students who had congregated in Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt on Friday afternoon. However, their attention quickly turned when they heard the sound of multiple gunshots.
Five young men, aged 16 to 18, were found with gunshot wounds, according to Bowers. All five victims were taken to nearby hospitals. Bowers mentioned that one of them is in critical condition, while the other four are in stable condition.
According to Bowers, the suspect in the shooting is thought to have escaped the park once the crowd dispersed after the gunfire. As of now, the authorities have not been able to locate the suspect. Bowers also mentioned that the police believe there was only one shooter involved.
The shooting was described by the police chief as a “horrible, tragic, senseless act.”
“It’s absolutely infuriating that something like this could happen to a group of kids who were just trying to enjoy their senior skip day at a nearby park,” expressed Bowers.
According to the Greenbelt Police Department spokesperson, the students had initially convened in Bowie, Maryland, for senior skip day. However, they were instructed to disperse by local law enforcement. Subsequently, many of the students relocated to Schrom Hills Park, where they engaged in a sizable water gun fight prior to the occurrence of the shooting incident, as per the police.
The gathering, according to Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan, was informally organized through social media.
“We do not support or endorse the act of skipping school; however, we acknowledge that senior skip day is a tradition,” Bowers expressed. “Nevertheless, it is truly unfortunate.”
According to the chief, students from various high schools in the area are thought to have been present at the park.
The motive behind the incident remains unclear.
The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, and Bowers is urging anyone who may have captured footage of the incident to contact the police. Additionally, investigators will be reviewing body-worn camera footage in their efforts to gather more information.
Bowers affirmed that the individual in question is undoubtedly captured on a camera somewhere.