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Authorities arrested an 18-year-old suspect accused of carrying out a mass shooting at a public park in Lexington, Kentucky that killed a teenager and injured four others, police said.
Jametrius M. Griffin faces charges of murder, assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the deadly incident that occurred Aug. 15 at Charles Young Park in Lexington, according to the Lexington Police Department.
It was not immediately clear if Griffin obtained legal representation. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
The Lexington Police Department first responded just before 7 p.m. ET to a report of shots fired during summer festivities at the park.
Authorities said a 4-year-old, 14-year-old and two adults were among those injured. A fifth person, later identified by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified Di’Zhon Robertson, 16, died from a gunshot wound at a local hospital.
USA TODAY defines a mass shooting as an incident where at least four people are hit with gunfire, even if there are no fatalities.
In an Aug. 16 statement, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said the community would come together to pray for those wounded, the “young man we lost,” and his family and friends. Several city council members and officials with the One Lexington community group against gun violence were at the park when the shooting occurred.
“We are more determined than ever to protect our young people, and to help them turn away from violence,” the mayor said. “Through One Lexington, we are organizing a trauma support event, and will announce details soon.”
Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned the shooting during a speech for a Kentucky Democratic Party dinner Aug. 15 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Lexington.
“Let’s think about the families of those that are involved. But having lost one of my closest friends in a shooting, let’s not live in fear,” Beshear said, referring to the 2023 Old National Bank shooting in downtown Louisville, in which his friend, Tommy Elliott, was killed.
Charles Young Park hosted East End Day, a community event, on Aug. 15. Devine Carama, director of One Lexington, said in a Facebook post that he was at the park at the time of the shooting.
“While trying to keep four young people covered and safe during the shooting, a person 8 inches from me was shot tonight,” Camara wrote. “It’s been 20 years since I’ve been that close to gunfire.”