Police said someone who called the 911 service said that around 6.30pm they heard several shots from Westgate Park on Westgate Avenue.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A man was killed and another injured after a shooting in Columbus West Park on Wednesday, police said.
Police said someone who called the 911 service said that around 6.30pm they heard several shots from Westgate Park on Westgate Avenue.
Officers who arrived found one man shot dead in the park. The death of the victim was stated at the scene.
Police said the shooting took place near tennis courts and the Westgate Park public recreation center
Commander Dennis Jeffrey of Columbus Police Department said the two groups had arrived at the park for what appeared to be a planned brawl. At one point Dennis said someone fired a gun, hitting and killing a man sitting in the car.
The second person injured was shot, and is expected to be fine.
Jeffrey did not say whether the man who was shot was a participant in the quarrel.
The incident on Wednesday was the third fatal shot in Columbus Park in the last two weeks.
On April 23, two fatal shootings took place in various Columbus parks.
A 19-year-old man died from the shooting Nafzger Park on the southeast side of town. About two hours later, a 20-year-old woman was shot dead Saunders Park in the east of Columbus.
Police said the shootings in the park were unrelated.
Jeffrey said that despite the recent shootings, he says Columbus Parks are safe.
“Westgate has traditionally been a very safe park. I still think so. I think some people with bad intentions really put many people at risk,” Jeffrey said.
Jeffrey said those who have grievances against each other should not come to the parks to settle their differences because too many people could be injured.
“Please stay away from the parks if you feel you have a quarrel. This is not the place for them,” Jeffrey said.
Police said no one had been detained so far.
