Crime
Officials Confirm No Active Shooter or Shooting During Fireworks Event at Thomas Cloud Park in Huber Heights
A celebration at Thomas Cloud Park took a chaotic turn Saturday night when panic erupted among attendees following reports of an active shooter. However, Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore has confirmed that there was no active shooter and no shots were fired during the city’s Star-Spangled Celebration.
Mayor Gore stated he had been in direct communication with the Chief of Police throughout the evening and verified that the incident stemmed from a false alarm.
“Someone yelled ‘shooter,’ and that spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic as people rushed for the exits,” Gore said in a social media post. “But again, I want to emphasize: there was no active shooter and no gunfire.”
The fireworks show, a family-friendly annual event that attracts hundreds of residents, descended into chaos as crowds began to flee in what witnesses described as a stampede.
Law enforcement officers and emergency personnel quickly responded to the scene.
One attendee described the moment panic set in:
“We saw everyone running and screaming, so we ran too. It was total confusion. Cops were everywhere. I just hope nobody was seriously hurt.”
Another witness recounted that her nephew, his girlfriend, and their two young children were forced to flee as chaos unfolded near where they were sitting. “They had to snatch up the kids and run,” she said.
Reports have surfaced of minor injuries, including individuals who may have been trampled during the mass exit. Emergency crews were seen assisting people, though no serious injuries have been confirmed as of Sunday morning.
Huber Heights police are continuing to investigate the source of the false alarm and working to ensure public safety at future events.
Mayor Gore urged the community to remain calm and be cautious about spreading unverified information during emergencies.
“Misinformation can be just as dangerous in these situations,” he said. “Thankfully, there was no active threat. Our first responders acted quickly and professionally to protect everyone.”
City officials are reminding residents to rely on official sources for updates and information.
TAUNTON, Mass. — One person was killed and seven others were injured in an overnight shooting at a house party in Taunton, Massachusetts, authorities said.
The shooting happened at approximately 12:35 a.m. Sunday at a residence in the 261 Weir Street area. Taunton police officers responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots.
When officers arrived, they found several people suffering from gunshot wounds. Investigators were also informed that additional victims had already been transported to area hospitals for medical treatment.
Authorities ultimately identified eight shooting victims, all of whom were reportedly in their early 20s.
One of the victims, 22-year-old Zirovick Depina of Brockton, was pronounced dead early Sunday morning, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
Of the seven surviving victims, one remains in serious but stable condition, while the others suffered injuries that were considered non-life-threatening. Their identities have not been publicly released.
The shooting occurred during a gathering at the residence. Images from the scene showed a tent and tables in the yard, along with white balloons and what appeared to be a photo backdrop near a garage.
A neighbor told authorities that large gatherings and loud parties had reportedly been common at the residence.
The home is located about a mile from the Taunton Police Department headquarters. The neighbor expressed concern about the shooting occurring in the area, particularly given the late-night activity.
The investigation is being conducted by Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, and other investigative units. Detectives are working to determine what led to the gunfire and identify those responsible.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Taunton police or investigators with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional information is expected as authorities continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.