Greenbelt, Maryland – Five teenagers were injured in a shooting incident that disrupted a large gathering of high school students participating in a senior skip day at Schrom Hills Park on Friday afternoon, as reported by local police. The gunfire erupted while law enforcement officers were responding to a crowd of 500 to 600 students at the park in Greenbelt.
Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers shared that five male victims, aged between 16 and 18, were found with gunshot wounds at the scene. All the victims were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with three of them already discharged. The critically injured victim is now in stable condition as confirmed by Greenbelt Police on Saturday.
According to Chief Bowers, a single suspect is believed to have fled the park after the shooting incident, which occurred following a water gun fight that students from multiple high schools in the area were engaging in during the senior skip day gathering. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, prompting authorities to call for anyone with relevant footage or information to come forward to aid in the investigation.
Mayor Emmett Jordan of Greenbelt commented on the informal organization of the event through social media, emphasizing the tragic nature of the incident that disrupted what was intended as a day of fun for the students. Chief Bowers expressed his dismay over the senseless act of violence, highlighting the fact that it took place in a local park where the students had gathered to enjoy themselves. He urged the community to support the investigation by providing any available evidence, including body-worn camera footage that could assist in identifying the suspect responsible for the shooting.