by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
EDMOND, USA (Worthy News) – A tense calm returned Monday to a lakeside park in the U.S. state of Oklahoma after a shooting at a crowded outdoor party left nearly two dozen people injured, including several in critical condition, authorities said.
Police in Edmond said suspects remained at large following the gunfire, which erupted Sunday night at Arcadia Lake, a popular recreation area just north of Oklahoma City. No arrests had been reported.
Hundreds of mostly young adults had gathered at what officials described as an unsanctioned event promoted on social media.
CHAOS AT LAKESIDE PARTY
Jeremiah Smith, 18, said an argument among a group escalated rapidly. “It just started a whole bunch of chaos,” he said, recalling how people began running as shots rang out in multiple directions.
Two of his friends were among those injured, Smith added.
Authorities said at least 18 people were treated at hospitals across the Oklahoma City area. Victims ranged in age from 16 to 30, with at least three listed in critical condition and others seriously hurt.
Officials said it remained unclear how many victims were struck by gunfire, and police provided few additional details as the investigation continued. Some of the injured sought medical help on their own, while emergency services transported others.
INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
“This is obviously a very terrifying situation, and we understand the concern from the public,” said Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward, adding that officers were working to identify suspects and interview witnesses.
Edmond Mayor Mark Nash confirmed the shooting occurred at a public park where large gatherings typically require permits. “To our knowledge, there was no reservation through the parks department,” he said, adding that authorities are reviewing security and permitting procedures.
The incident is the latest in a series of shootings across the United States involving large gatherings. Over the same weekend, a separate shooting in Amarillo, Texas, left two teenagers dead and at least 10 others wounded.
Arcadia Lake, built in the 1980s for recreation and flood control, serves the city of Edmond, a suburb of about 100,000 residents.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND DEBATE
The violence has raised renewed concerns about safety at public events drawing large crowds.
About 40 years ago, Edmond was the site of one of the deadliest workplace shootings in U.S. history. On August 20, 1986, a postal worker shot 20 co-workers, killing 14 before taking his own life.
Authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact law enforcement as efforts to identify those responsible continued.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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