Share and Follow
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — A Sunday night gathering at a lakeside party near Oklahoma City turned chaotic when gunfire erupted, resulting in at least 12 individuals being hospitalized, as confirmed by police and hospital representatives.
Emily Ward, a spokesperson for the Edmond police, reported that the authorities were alerted to gunshots around 9 p.m. at a youth party close to Arcadia Lake. As of late Sunday, no suspects had been apprehended.
“The situation is undeniably frightening, and we fully acknowledge the community’s concerns. Our dedicated efforts are focused on identifying and apprehending those responsible,” Ward stated.
“We are actively canvassing the metro area, conducting interviews with both victims and witnesses,” she added.
Ward noted that 10 individuals were transported to medical facilities, while others sought treatment on their own. The conditions of the victims varied widely.
Nine people were at Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City and three were at Integris Health Edmond Hospital, according to a hospital system spokesperson. The spokesperson said the patients were all still being assessed late Sunday night.
While police did not provide details about the party, a flyer seen on social media after the shooting suggested that an event called Sunday Funday had been scheduled near the lake Sunday evening.
Arcadia Lake, located around 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City, is an artificial reservoir used for flood control that is also a popular recreational spot that offers fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. It’s located in Edmond, an Oklahoma City suburb with about 100,000 residents.
Forty years ago, Edmond was the site of one of the deadliest workplace shootings in U.S. history. On Aug. 20, 1986, postal worker Patrick Sherrill shot 20 co-workers, killing 14 of them. He then killed himself.
___
Stengle reported from Dallas.