A person was injured after a large disturbance at Veterans Park along Homestead Road in Lehigh Acres on Monday afternoon.
Lee County deputies responded as they said shots were fired into the air.
According to LCSO, when deputies arrived on the scene, they brought the situation under control after families were sent scrambling for safety.
According to Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation continued throughout Monday night.
Deputies learned that dozens of people showed up to the park to participate in a fight. During the fight, an unknown suspect brandished a firearm, pistol-whipped a victim, and then fired a shot into the air, LCSO said.
“After I heard the shot firing, that’s when I ran to the car and I took my son to safety,” said Lucille Cavalini, a witness who was near the skate park with her children when she says she saw a group of 20 to 40 teenagers fighting and then suddenly run away after hearing loud bangs.
Another witness described the scene as chaotic, with families scrambling to get to safety.
“I seen people ducking down with their kids, little ones like 2 to 3-year-olds, because it was really close to the playground area,” said Lupita Rios, a witness from Lehigh Acres.
Crime scene tape surrounded the Veterans Park playground, and a canine unit searched the field next to the splash park. More than a dozen Lee County Sheriff’s Office units were present, creating a perimeter as deputies shut down the area to investigate.
“It was scary because I didn’t know if there was going to be any more shots fired. And I didn’t know, you know, how many kids had a gun? I had no idea. I just wanted to get out of there,” Rios said.
LCSO reported that the victim, who was pistol-whipped, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
As of a Tuesday morning update from LCSO, no arrests have been made. Potential suspects were detained at the time of the incident, and witnesses were spoken to, but many declined to provide information or remain on scene.
“It’s bad enough for an adult to have to experience that, let alone a 7-year-old. So no, I will never go back there again,” she said.
Veterans Park remains closed until further notice as the investigation continues.
“The safety and security of our residents remains our top priority, and we understand the concerns of the community,” LCSO said. “2nd Precinct deputies and detectives have increased patrols at Veterans Park and will work alongside park rangers to enhance visibility.”
CORRECTION: LCSO previously told Gulf Coast News that no injuries were reported; however, in an update, the sheriff’s office stated one person was injured.
CORRECTION: LCSO previously told Gulf Coast News that one person was in custody. In a Tuesday morning update, the sheriff’s office stated that no arrests have been made.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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Source: gulfcoastnewsnow
