At least one person was shot on Thursday evening after a large gathering of over 2,000 teenagers in Long Beach, Long Island, turned chaotic during what was supposed to be a “senior skip day,” according to police. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, causing a panic among the crowd, with some people tripping and falling as they tried to flee the scene. The situation became so overwhelming for the Long Beach Police that they had to call in assistance from the Nassau County Police to regain control of the situation.
A mother who came to pick up her son described the terrifying experience of discovering that there had been a shooting at the event. She expressed her relief that her son was safe and unable to board the train due to the unfolding events. Two individuals were taken into custody by the police in connection to the incident.
The Long Beach Police officer shared that earlier in the day, a large group of youth had gathered on the beach, with some estimates putting the number at over 2,000. After attempts to disperse the crowd, some individuals moved to the area of Edwards Boulevard and Park Avenue where the shooting occurred. The victim, described as a young adult male, was transported to the hospital for treatment, but further details about his condition were not provided.
Authorities believe that the gathering was organized through social media, possibly as a senior skip day event involving students from multiple schools. Amid the commotion, a video surfaced showing a woman dancing on top of a Nassau County Police vehicle, adding to the chaos of the situation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise when large crowds gather without proper supervision or security measures in place. It also highlights the importance of effective communication between law enforcement agencies to quickly address and resolve such volatile situations.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of what was supposed to be a day of fun and celebration for graduating seniors. The authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in bringing those responsible to justice.