North Carolina ‘Planned’ Teen Fight Erupts Into Gunfire, Leaving 2 Dead, Several Injured

Two teenagers met near Leinbach Park at Sally Kirk Road in North Carolina for a planned fight, but the situation escalated drastically, leading to multiple people exchanging gunfire, authorities said.

Officers reported that individuals were fleeing the area when they arrived. In the parking area, officers found 17-year-old Erubey Romero Medina suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second victim, identified as 16-year-old Daniel Jimenez Millian, was located further inside the park with a gunshot wound and was also pronounced dead at the scene.

In an official statement on April 20, the Winston-Salem Police Department said it is actively investigating a mass shooting that occurred around 9:52 a.m.

“Preliminary investigation indicates the incident stemmed from a pre-planned fight involving juveniles. When the individuals met at the park, the situation escalated, resulting in multiple people exchanging gunfire,” police said.

Authorities said additional victims were found in the parking lot at 3474 Robinhood Road. Three girls, ages 14 to 17, and two boys, ages 18 and 19, suffered gunshot wounds ranging from critical to minor.

“In accordance with North Carolina law, the names of the juvenile victims will not be released,” the Winston-Salem Police Department said. “The names of the adult victims are also being withheld pending further investigation into their involvement.”

A total of seven individuals were struck by gunfire. Detectives are working to determine each person’s role in the incident. Preliminary information indicates that some of those injured may have also been involved in the shooting.

There are no suspects in custody. The investigation remains active and ongoing, police said.

Law enforcement made passionate pleas for parents and children to take gun safety more seriously, according to CNN.

“(H)aving those cellphones out changes the behavior of our youth,” Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn said.

“Stay away from the fights. It’s not the same as it used to be. I know I sound like the grumpy old man when I say that, but these fights now lead to weapons, and shootings, and videos. And we don’t come back from that.”

“There is no shortage of guns in our community. There is no shortage,” Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. said. “At the same time, there is no gun sensitivity amongst our youth. And, I’m telling you, they’re using guns like they use their cellphones: indiscriminately,” he added.

In a Facebook post on April 20, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said that it is responding to a shooting on Robinhood Road near Jefferson Middle School.

“The shooting is not at the school but in Leinbach Park. The school is now operating regularly and is open. Several people have been shot, with 2 deceased. People should avoid the area for now,” the post said.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein shared a post from the Winston-Salem Police Department about a news conference being organized to provide additional updates about the shooting.