Fight between juveniles led to shootings inside Kennywood Park, police say

Two teenagers and a man were injured in a shooting inside Kennywood Park late Saturday night during an altercation between two groups of juveniles, Allegheny County Police said early Sunday morning.

A 39-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy were shot in the leg, and another 15-year-old boy suffered a grazing wound to the leg shootings that occurred in front of the Music Express amusement ride at about 10:50 p.m., during the altercation between the groups of juveniles, police said.

One of the teens was transported to a hospital where he remains in stable condition. The adult male was treated and released from another area hospital. The third victim left the scene and was taken by a family member to an area hospital, where he is reported in stable condition.

The park security was alerted to the incident in front of the Musik Express ride. County police and West Mifflin police, who had been working the park’s security detail as well, found three victims.

No arrests have been made, but police said witnesses reported two groups of juveniles were involved in an altercation when the shots were fired. The shooter is described as a Black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a dark-colored covid mask.

A handgun was discovered near the shooting scene by responding officers, police said.

Saturday was Kennywood’s first night of its annual Phantom Fall Fest. The event was canceled Sunday, but the park said it intends to reopen Friday.

“The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority,” Kennywood wrote in a statement. “Members of the park’s security, Allegheny County and West Mifflin police departments were already on site and immediately responded.”

EMS alerts called it a “mass casualty incident,” which is done to call available emergency crews from Allegheny and Westmoreland counties to the scene. A state police presence was also noted.

At this time @PghPolice are assisting with the reports of shots fired at Kennywood.

— Pittsburgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) September 25, 2022

Kennywood confirmed at 12:30 a.m. Sunday that all guests had exited the park.

Though law enforcement sources have confirmed that the shots were fired inside the park, Kennywood’s website states that all guests, team members and management “must pass through metal detectors at the entrance gate, and all bags, purses and coolers are subject to search.”

Large police presence at Kennywood @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/3edv12bJpD

— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) September 25, 2022

Thomas Harrison of Irwin called Kennywood’s security “awful.” He said he went through “very minimal security” to get into the park Saturday.

Harrison was with his fiancé and parents when shots were fired. He recalled people were screaming, running and pushing each other over to get out of the park.

“Kids were crying,” Harrison said. “Some people were looking for their loved ones.”

Kourtney Jones of Frostburg, Md., was on a ride with her sister when shots were first fired. When she got off the ride, she heard another shot.

Jones said she and her sister ran, but were temporarily separated. Jones and her sister were eventually reunited and exited the park, she said. According to Jones, her sister’s friend was injured after being trampled trying to escape the park.

Katrina Zemlock of Indiana, Pa., described the scene as “chaos.” As Zemlock, her fiancé and friends tried to exit the park, Zemlock said she encountered people screaming and running, while others acted confused or didn’t believe there was any danger.

Outside the park, WPXI news anchor Susan Koeppen tweeted she was waiting to pick up her son when she heard two shots fired.

“Witnesses said they ran, some hopped over fences and left their belongings behind,” Koeppen tweeted.

Jadyn Kathleen was also outside of the park when she heard gunshots. The New Kensington resident said she and her friends noticed “many concerning things” when they were in the park before the shooting.

Kathleen said there was “barely any” park security and children under 12 ran around the park unattended throughout the day.

“Security is clearly severely understaffed,” she said.

#kennywood Pittsburgh Police responding to Kennywood. One of many departments called to the scene after shots fired. pic.twitter.com/qfdkHr2s5J

— susan koeppen (@susankoeppen) September 25, 2022

Anyone with information or video concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

The police department also can be reached via its social media sites.