Three people were injured during a shooting in the parking lot of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. The shooting took place on Sunday, 14 August 2022.
Six Flags Shooting: Here are the updates
According to reports from CNN , the Gurnee Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired at the park around 20:00. As per a statement released by police, a car entered the parking lot, suspects exited the vehicle near the front entrance of the park, and began shooting at another individual. The suspects then drove away from the scene.
Ambulances escorted a 17-year-old male and a 19-year-old female to the hospital. Both sustained non-life-threatening leg injuries. However, a third person sustained a shoulder injury but refused to go to the hospital for treatment.
“The shooting this evening was not a random act, and appeared to be a targeted incident that occurred outside the park. This was not an active shooter incident inside the park,” Gurnee police said.
Statement from Gurnee police surrounding Six Flags Great America shooting. Cops say incident was not a random act. pic.twitter.com/aZzfgGCvND
— Matt Young (@MattYoung) August 15, 2022
Inside the amusement park, the shooting caused panic and confusion. Park-goers took to Twitter to share videos of the scene, videos showed people seeking refuge. Other videos showed people walking around with ambulances and police cars in the background. Crowds of people were able to leave after some time had passed.
Six Flags was forced to close shortly after the shooting took place.
Shooting at six flags wtf.
— PAULINA PALERMO (@paulinapalermo) August 15, 2022
The horror of the families and kids hiding in the bathroom with us. I hope nobody experiences this fear ever. Everybody I hope you are safe. #PrayTogether #sixflags #shooting pic.twitter.com/lVyHa4HuQA
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting the Gurnee Police Department with the investigation, has dispelled social media reports of an active shooter. However, there is currently no evidence of this.
Although, no suspects are in custody, the investigation remains ongoing.
Six Flags Great America is home to some of the most thrilling rollercoasters and rides. The theme park is located in Gurnee, Lake County, about an hour from north Chicago. Following the Highland Park parade mass shooting last month, this is the second shooting in a public place where families gather. Seven people died in the shooting at a parade.
This is a developing story.