yahoo Press
2 teens dead after planned fight between juveniles escalates into a shooting at a public park in North Carolina, police confirm
Images
Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem, N.C. A planned fight between two “young individuals” escalated into a shooting at a public park in Winston-Salem, N.C., killing two teenagers and injuring several others, most of whom were minors, police confirmed during a Monday news conference. The Winston-Salem Police Department said the incident at Leinbach Park began around 9:52 a.m., when officers responded to a reported fight in progress. “While officers were en route, additional information was received indicating that shots had been fired and that multiple individuals had been struck by gunfire,” Winston-Salem Police Capt. Kevin Burns said Monday, adding that when officers arrived, they saw multiple people fleeing the area. Police said the two who died from gunshot wounds were ages 16 and 17 and were pronounced dead at the scene. One was found in the park’s parking lot, and the other was further inside the park. It’s unknown at this point in the investigation if the fight was between the two deceased teenagers or what the fight was about. Five others sustained minor to critical injuries from the gunfire, including a 14-year-old female, a 15-year-old female, a 17-year-old female, an 18-year-old male and a 19-year-old female. “In accordance with North Carolina law, the names of the juvenile victims will not be released,” Burns said. “At this time, the name of the adult victim is being withheld pending further investigation into their involvement.” Burns said detectives were working to determine each individual’s role in the incident. “Preliminary information indicates that some of those injured may have also been involved in the shooting,” he said. As of late Monday afternoon, no one was in custody, police said. The incident was isolated to Leinbach Park, police said, and did not occur at a school. Nearby schools were placed on a secure hold as a precaution, though police and school officials said there was no need for students to be picked up. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call their nonemergency number at 336-773-7700.