3 wounded in shooting at park near Pittsburgh

West Mifflin, Pa. — Three people, including two teenagers, were wounded by gunfire late Saturday at an amusement park southeast of Pittsburgh, which was kicking off a Halloweenthemed festival.

Allegheny County police said a 39-year-old man and two 15-yearold boys sustained leg wounds in the gunfire shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin. Park security responded along with local and county police who were working a security detail at the park.

Emergency responders took the man and one of the youths to a hospital, where the man was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and released. The youth was admitted with a gunshot wound to the leg, and another youth grazed on the leg was brought to the hospital by a relative; both teens were listed in stable condition.

Witnesses told investigators that two groups of teenagers were involved in an altercation in front of the Musik Express ride and shots were fired by a male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a darkcolored COVID-19 mask. A handgun was found near the scene, police said.

Kennywood posted a statement on Twitter around 12:30 a.m. Sunday saying the park had been closed for the night and all guests had exited. The company said it was “closely collaborating with police as they investigate.”

“We are greatly saddened by the violence that occurred last night,” Kennywood said in a statement Sunday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with those who were injured as a result of the incident, as well as all guests and team members affected by what happened.”

Kennywood said park entry security protocols include “a state of the art weapons detection system” as well as video scanning and bag checks, as well as the presence of county and local police. The park’s website also says “weaponry of any kind is strictly prohibited at the park.”

Police are investigating using the park’s security cameras and witness statements, KDKA-TV reported. County police asked anyone with information or video to contact investigators. The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department said in a social media post that its officers were assisting.

Kennywood was celebrating the first night of its Phantom Fall Fest, scheduled to run through Oct. 16, according to the park’s website.

Ward Troetschel, of West Mifflin, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he arrived at about 9:45 p.m. Saturday and saw “way too many unaccompanied minors.”