GREENBELT, Md. — Police in Prince George's County are investigating after multiple people were shot in the Greenbelt area near Schrom Hills Recreation Center. Police believe it began as a senior skip day for students across multiple high schools in the area.
Investigators with Greenbelt Police say a group of roughly 600 people had planned the water gun fight in Bowie Friday afternoon. Bowie Police and Prince George's County Police dispersed the group, who made its way to Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt.
During a press conference Greenbelt Chief Police, Richard Bowers, said that Park Police patrolled the area at 1:30 p.m. and reported no one was in the park. About an hour later, Greenbelt Police was notified of the large crowd at the park.
Greenbelt Police, Maryland State Police, and Prince George's County Police all responded to monitor the situation and keep an eye on the group. According to officials there were between 20-30 officers present to monitor this large group.
Police say, within 15 minutes of officers being present 8-10 shots rang off. Five boys were injured in the shooting ranging from ages 16-to-18-years-old. One of the victims is currently in critical condition. The remaining four are stable according to hospital employees.
Police are still searching for the shooter, they believe the suspect slipped away while everyone was panicked and running out of the park. Officers do not think they are looking for multiple shooters.
SKY9 flew over the scene and captured video showing a large group of boys being detained by officers, believed to be at the park. The students have since been cleared by police and are not being considered as suspects.
Chief Bowers said a similar event was held at the park last year and everything was peaceful, so they didn't feel the need to shut it down.
"These are just kids on senior skip day who were looking to have a good time at a local park." Chief Bowers said during the press conference. "We were all high school kids one time or another and so we may not condone skipping school, but it's the senior skip day and it's a tragedy that this happened on this occasion for these kids."
Greenbelt Police is on the scene gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. With so many officers on the scene during the shooting, police will also be scrubbing through body cam footage to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
As of Sunday afternoon, three of the five victims have been released from the hospital, and the one victim listed in critical condition is now stable.
Police have not released any information about a suspect or suspects in this case. Anyone who may have additional information for investigators is asked to call Prince George's County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
RELATED: 4 people shot in Northeast DC
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