Shooting at Kenny Wood Park, what happened?
Pittsburgh Police said they were already en route to Kenny Wood Park in West Mifflin in response to reports of gunfire from that location. Let’s look at the incident that happened at Kenny Wood Park earlier today and the details of what happened.
What happened at Kenny Wood Park?
Police received a report early Sunday morning that several people had been shot dead at Kenny Wood Park in West Mifflin late Saturday night. The park is located in West Mifflin. In their rush to flee the gunfire, officers suffered what police described as “trample injuries.” According to Allegheny County Police, three people were shot inside the park in the part of the park known as “Lost Kenny Wood,” which is near the Music Express ride.
According to Christopher Kearns, the county police superintendent, the shootings took place around 10:50 p.m. ahead of the Music Express ride in the Lost Kennywood section of the park, as a result of an “incident” between two groups of young men. The ride is located in Kennywood Amusement Park.
What finally happened to the victims?
Three people were injured by the shot. Two people were shot; One was a 15-year-old child currently recovering at Children’s Hospital and the other was an adult who was shot, treated and then released.
A third person who was hit by bullets made his way to McKeesport Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
Who was the suspected person?
Superintendent Kearns mentioned that they were looking for a young black man in connection with the incident.
According to him, the suspect was dressed all in black, with a black surgical mask and black hoodie.
People were metal-detected when entering the park; Police have said they have no idea how the shooter got his gun through security.
According to authorities, seven officers from the County Police Department, two officers from the West Mifflin Police Department and Kennywood Internal Security were patrolling the park on Saturday night.
West Mifflin Police Chief Greg McCulloch stated that his officers assisted one of the victims of the shooting and then asked for assistance to help the remaining victims. In addition, he stated that his police officers helped escort the participants out of the park.
After the reports of the shooting, a significant number of law enforcement officers from a variety of departments from across the county arrived at the sprawling amusement park.
The original statement from the district police was that there had been “an incident” in the park. In a subsequent tweet, the Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety stated that city officials were helping to respond to gunfire that was fired.
The idyllic spot overlooking the Monongahela River was once a recreational playground far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Pittsburgh. However, over the past 12 decades it has transformed into one of the largest amusement parks in the world, with rides and attractions suitable for guests of all ages. The Jack Rabbit, Racer, and Thunderbolt are three 1920’s roller coasters located in an area designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. These rides are just as exciting today as those that first debuted back then.
In addition to traditional roller coasters, Kennywood’s new Steelers Country features modern rides like Phantom’s Revenge, Exterminator, Sky Rocket and The Steel Curtain. This is the first amusement park area ever dedicated to a professional sports organization.
In Kennywood, younger visitors will head straight for the many family-friendly rides, the sizable area known as Kiddieland, located at the center of the park, and Thomas TownTM. There will be five new rides based on the well-known children’s brand, as well as live performances, an indoor play zone and other features at the Thomas & FriendsTM attraction, which is the second largest permanent attraction in North America.
A trip to Kennywood is sure to be exciting for the whole family, whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been a season pass holder for life. Kennywood is one of the best places in Pennsylvania for families to have fun and is conveniently located just twenty minutes outside of downtown Pittsburgh. Tickets to Kennywood can be purchased at prices to suit any budget and the group sales department is available to help arrange a memorable trip for groups of 10,000 to 15,000 people.
Details on Kennywood
The hotel prices listed on our accommodation page are the lowest they’ve ever been. We also offer unique combo packages with our sister parks, Sandcastle Waterpark and Idlewild & SoakZone, and we can combine Kennywood tickets with numerous other popular Pittsburgh locations for guests traveling from overseas to visit us here in Pittsburgh. Contact us now for more information on Kennywood packages available to out-of-state guests.
At Kennywood, you’ll find a unique combination of timeless customs and cutting-edge thrills that you won’t find anywhere else. We look forward to bringing entertainment to your family soon!
police investigations
Police discovered a handgun on the Kennywood property and reported their find. When it was claimed there would be “mass casualties,” emergency response teams from across Allegheny County and Westmoreland County were dispatched to the park. The Allegheny County Police Department is involved in the investigation alongside the West Mifflin Police Department.
Kennywood Park Statement
A statement like the following was issued by Kenny Wood Park early Sunday morning:
The amusement park is now closed for the evening and all the guests have left. We are currently working with authorities in the region to investigate a scenario that occurred tonight. Our top priority is always the well-being of our customers and our employees. Park security personnel and officers from the Allegheny County and West Mifflin Police Departments were already on the scene and responded immediately.
Who was Susan Koeppen?
Susan Koeppen is the presenter of the 4am newscast on Channel 11 News. She takes over the breaking news desk for Channel 11 News at 5pm. Susan is an accomplished journalist who is well known in her field. She has received numerous honors including three Gracie Allen Awards and nine Emmy Awards.
As Susan stood waiting in the parking lot, she heard two shots ring out. From what she heard, a neighboring parent was yelling at their children to get out of there at this point.
After hearing gunshots in Kennywood, I immediately pulled out my camera and snapped these photos. After hearing a loud bang, I immediately contacted my son and ordered him to flee the area.
Susan called her son, who immediately followed her and hastily got into her car. She stated that numerous children she had never seen before had taken refuge in her vehicle for no other reason than to do so.
What were people willing to admit about the disorderly scene?
Those present at the time recalled the chaotic scene that unfolded as news of the shooting spread around the park and parents and children ran for the exits.
According to reports filed by police around 12:40 p.m., there were only a handful of people outside waiting for rides from the area when we arrived. Everyone who was still in the park had to be evacuated. Kennywood employees who left the park said they were told not to speak to reporters about the event they were there to witness.
Last weekend marked the start of Kennywood’s renowned Phantom Fall Fest, which is known for attracting a significant number of visitors to the amusement park each year. A pair of sunglasses were found on the ground in front of the Music Express ride early Sunday morning and police officers could be seen in front of the ride. Barrier tape was stretched and evidence markers set up.
About the Kenny Wood Park shooting
Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Kennywood Communications Manager Tasha Pokrzywa released the following statement: “The park is closed for the night and all visitors have left.” An incident that happened tonight left us with the brought together local law enforcement officials.
First and foremost, we feel obliged to protect the well-being of our employees and our guests. Police officers from West Mifflin and Allegheny County, along with members of the park’s security team, were already at the scene when the incident happened. By 1:30 a.m., most of the emergency personnel and the intervening police had dispersed. Police reported that they let the workers back into the park one by one to retrieve their belongings, and they did so while police dispersed further.
While the investigation continued at the park, Valerie Franklin from Duquesne waited at the entrance for her 19-year-old son Brandon. While she waited, the investigation continued. She claimed he recently worked at Kennywood for the first time. Around 11pm on Saturday, Ms Franklin claimed she was listening to her police scanner when she overheard a call about a person in the park with a gun. She said: “I was scared and I contacted him straight away,” adding that when Brandon picked up the phone, he told her he heard gunshots and saw people fleeing.
She remarked, “I am praying for the children and the people being transported.
Ward Troetschel from West Mifflin claimed to have arrived in Kennywood at 9:45pm for the Phantom Fall Fest. He recalled seeing “far too many unaccompanied youth” at the time. He also claimed he left the park at 10:30 p.m. due to the belligerent behavior of young people who were “trying to start fights.”
He claimed that groups of at least 100 people sprinted past him two or three times as he was leaving. According to Mr. Troetschel, the scene was “quite chaotic”. The park closes on Sunday and reopens on Friday.
A notice on the park’s website states that anyone who purchased a Fallfest ticket for Sunday can use it on any other Fallfest night. According to Supt, the police wanted to use surveillance footage from the park. Kearns to help with their investigation.
Call the county police tip hotline at 833-255-8477 if you have any information about the shootings, he said.