Two teenagers were killed and five others injured in a shooting that took place on the morning of April 20 at a park in North Carolina, police said. Authorities believe the group had gathered to witness or take part in a fight that was reportedly “pre-planned”.
The incident occurred at Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem, a city with a population of around 260,000 located approximately 193km northwest of Raleigh. Police said the teenagers arrived at the park shortly after the usual school start time.
Investigators are still working to determine exactly how the situation escalated into gunfire. Officials from the Winston-Salem Police Department confirmed during an afternoon press briefing that no arrests had been made at the time.
Police Chief William H. Penn Jr suggested that social media may have contributed to the altercation, noting concerns that online platforms are influencing how young people engage in conflicts. He said the situation reflected a troubling trend where fights are increasingly linked to weapons and violence.
“This didn’t have to happen. It’s senseless,” Penn said, adding that the incident highlights growing concerns over youth violence and the role of digital communication in organising confrontations.
Authorities said officers responded shortly before 10am after receiving 911 calls reporting a fight at the park, which is located about a five-minute walk from a nearby middle school. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, and no suspects are currently in custody.
