WASHINGTON (Washington Insider Magazine)– In association with the shooting that injured 3 individuals, including two teenagers last month at an amusement park in western Pennsylvania, a 15-year-old has been taken into custody.
West Mifflin and Allegheny County police informed that the teen is now getting charged as an adult with reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, and weapons crimes in connection with the gunfire on September 24 at Kennywood Park on the first night of the Phantom Fall Fest of the park.
Park authorities stated, a fight between two groups of teens near the Musik Express ride at the park in West Mifflin, southeast of Pittsburgh, led to the shooting late on Saturday night. According to ABC NEWS, two 15-year-old boys, and a 39-year-old adult were rushed to the hospital for wounded legs.
Last week, investigators reported that evidence found at the site suggested firing of two guns one of which was fired by the detained youngster who suffered a grazed bullet to the thigh. Authorities are looking for a second suspect, who Christopher Kearns, the county police superintendent, asserted is most likely a teenager.
After the incident, Kennywood announced new safety measures, including more police, increased security at perimeter fences, restrictions on bag sizes and face-covering masks, and a necessity that all youngsters be accompanied by an adult at all times while attending Fall Fest, which is scheduled to last until mid-October.
Kearns said, it is still unknown how the firearms got into the park, and authorities are still considering the possibility that they were thrown over the fence or brought by someone who climbed the fence. Officials stated to improve visibility, the trees surrounding the fence will be cut down and new surveillance cameras and floodlights will be installed to entirely cover the fence line. Additionally, they promised to significantly boost security patrols.
The conflict between 2 groups of teenagers, which has resulted in a number of gunshots across many Mon Valley communities, is believed to be the cause of the shooting. Victor Joseph, assistant superintendent of the county police, listed 55 incidents of gunfire in the rival communities of Homestead and Duquesne.