OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — A shooting in northeast Oklahoma City on Thursday afternoon left three people injured and prompted a police response that led to the arrest of three suspects.
The incident occurred at an apartment complex near NE 36th Street and Prospect Avenue, around 3 p.m. Authorities reported that the shooting was the result of a fight between several individuals, one of whom pulled out a firearm and opened fire on others.
Three victims were shot in the incident, with one of them being grazed by a bullet and treated at the scene. The other two victims were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All three are expected to recover.
The shooting sparked panic among residents of the area, especially as local schools were releasing students for the day. In response to the threat, Thelma R. Parks Elementary School was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure. Other nearby schools also took similar steps to ensure the safety of their students.
“My kids and I were outside before I had to go pick up my other two oldest kids from school, and we heard shots going off that way somewhere,” said Quarrion Wilson, a resident who lives near the scene. “Next thing we know, we’ve seen helicopters, police rolling around.”
According to authorities, investigators believe the altercation involved multiple individuals, some of whom are suspected to be minors. Sergeant Jon Skuta of the Oklahoma City Police Department confirmed that when officers arrived on the scene, they discovered three individuals with gunshot wounds.
“Two of which were transported to the hospital and are considered in stable condition at this time,” Skuta said. “Then one had a wound that was treated here on scene.”
The situation caused considerable disruption in the area, with nearby residents expressing concern about the frequency of such incidents. Wilson, who lives in close proximity to the apartment complex, acknowledged that while these kinds of events are not common, they still occur from time to time.
“I’m kind of sorta used to it and stuff like that around here,” Wilson said. “Not often like that, but every now and then.”
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting, and the suspects are in police custody. As of now, it remains unclear whether the incident was gang-related or if there were other contributing factors.
This latest shooting adds to the ongoing concerns about gun violence and public safety in the city. While the victims are expected to recover, local residents, like Wilson, are left grappling with the fear and uncertainty that comes with living in a neighborhood where such violence is all too frequent.
