A mass shooting at a campground party in Oklahoma on Sunday night has left at least 23 people injured, with police yet to make any arrests. The incident occurred at Spring Creek Park on Arcadia Lake, about 15 miles north-east of downtown Oklahoma City, when gunfire erupted during a gathering of young people at around 9pm.
Emily Ward, an Edmond police department spokesperson, said in a media briefing that no arrests had been made and that the heavily wooded area was hindering the search for evidence and a possible suspect. “This is obviously a very terrifying situation and we understand the concern from the public and those involved and we are working extremely hard to find the suspects,” Ward said.
Ten of the victims were taken to hospital by ambulance, while several others drove themselves. Officials at Integris Health and OU Health reported treating a total of 23 people in connection with the shooting. As of Monday morning, 10 people were at Integris Health Baptist medical center in Oklahoma City, and three were at Integris Health Edmond hospital.
A witness, Armani Kessee, told local news that he and a friend had helped a female victim who was shot. “She said she had got hit with a stray bullet,” he said. “It’s very sad to see someone that you know, that you love … it’s a very hard thing.”
According to the Gun Violence Archive, this is the 131st mass shooting in the US so far this year. The group defines a mass shooting as any incident in which at least four victims are injured or killed, not including the shooter. The incident has renewed calls for more substantial gun control, though Congress has not heeded such pleas over the years.
