WEST MIFFLIN: Three people, including two teenagers, were shot and injured Saturday night at an amusement park southeast of Pittsburgh, which was kicking off a Halloween-themed festival.
Allegheny County police say a 39-year-old man and two 15-year-old boys sustained leg injuries in the gunfire shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday in kennywood Park at West Mifflin. Park security responded with local and county police working as park security.
Rescuers took the man and one of the teenagers to hospital, where the man was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and released. The youngster was admitted with a gunshot wound to the leg, and another boy with a scraped leg was taken to hospital by a relative; both teenagers were listed in stable condition.
Witnesses told investigators that two groups of teenagers were involved in an altercation outside the Musik Express ride and shots were fired by a man wearing a black hoodie and dark-colored COVID mask. A handgun was found near the scene, police said.
Kennywood posted a statement on Twitter around 12:30 a.m. Sunday saying the park had been closed for the night and all guests were out. Officials said they were “aware of a situation that occurred tonight and are working with local law enforcement. The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority” .
The park states on its website that all guests, staff, and management must pass through metal detectors at the entrance gate, and all bags, purses, and coolers are subject to a search. The site also states that “Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited in the park.”
Police are investigating using park security cameras and witness statements, KDKA-TV reported. County police have asked anyone with information or video to contact investigators. The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said in a social media post that his officers were helping.
Kennywood was celebrating the first night of his ghost fall party, scheduled to run through Oct. 16, according to the park’s website. The park will be closed on Sunday, with tickets dated that day valid for any other day of Phantom Fall Fest, and is due to reopen on Friday, the park said on its website.
The website promotes the park as a fun family destination with seven roller coasters and rides for kids.
Ward Troetschel, of West Mifflin, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he arrived around 9:45 p.m. Saturday and saw “far too many unaccompanied minors.” He said he left around 10:30 p.m. because the youths were aggressive and “trying to start fights”. As he was leaving, groups of at least 100 passed him two or three times, Troetschel said, calling it a scene with “a lot of chaos”.
Irwin’s Thomas Harrison told the Tribune-Review he was with his fiancé and his parents when the shots were fired and then people were screaming, running and pushing each other out of the park.
“The kids were crying,” Harrison said. “Some people were looking for their relatives.”
Allegheny County police say a 39-year-old man and two 15-year-old boys sustained leg injuries in the gunfire shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday in kennywood Park at West Mifflin. Park security responded with local and county police working as park security.
Rescuers took the man and one of the teenagers to hospital, where the man was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and released. The youngster was admitted with a gunshot wound to the leg, and another boy with a scraped leg was taken to hospital by a relative; both teenagers were listed in stable condition.
Witnesses told investigators that two groups of teenagers were involved in an altercation outside the Musik Express ride and shots were fired by a man wearing a black hoodie and dark-colored COVID mask. A handgun was found near the scene, police said.
Kennywood posted a statement on Twitter around 12:30 a.m. Sunday saying the park had been closed for the night and all guests were out. Officials said they were “aware of a situation that occurred tonight and are working with local law enforcement. The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority” .
The park states on its website that all guests, staff, and management must pass through metal detectors at the entrance gate, and all bags, purses, and coolers are subject to a search. The site also states that “Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited in the park.”
Police are investigating using park security cameras and witness statements, KDKA-TV reported. County police have asked anyone with information or video to contact investigators. The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said in a social media post that his officers were helping.
Kennywood was celebrating the first night of his ghost fall party, scheduled to run through Oct. 16, according to the park’s website. The park will be closed on Sunday, with tickets dated that day valid for any other day of Phantom Fall Fest, and is due to reopen on Friday, the park said on its website.
The website promotes the park as a fun family destination with seven roller coasters and rides for kids.
Ward Troetschel, of West Mifflin, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he arrived around 9:45 p.m. Saturday and saw “far too many unaccompanied minors.” He said he left around 10:30 p.m. because the youths were aggressive and “trying to start fights”. As he was leaving, groups of at least 100 passed him two or three times, Troetschel said, calling it a scene with “a lot of chaos”.
Irwin’s Thomas Harrison told the Tribune-Review he was with his fiancé and his parents when the shots were fired and then people were screaming, running and pushing each other out of the park.
“The kids were crying,” Harrison said. “Some people were looking for their relatives.”
