Two teenagers were killed and five others were injured after a planned fight at Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, escalated into gunfire Monday morning. Police say officers were alerted at about 9:52 a.m.; victims include 17-year-old Erubey Romero Medina and 16-year-old Daniel Jimenez Millian, who were pronounced dead at the scene. Five additional teens, ages 14–19, sustained injuries ranging from critical to minor, and detectives said some of the wounded may have been involved. Authorities reported no arrests and asked anyone with information to contact investigators.
Planned Teen Confrontation at Winston-Salem Park Turns Deadly: 2 Killed, 5 Wounded
Law enforcement officers walk near the scene of the shooting at Leinbach Park. - Erik Verduzco/AP
A planned confrontation between teenagers at Leinbach Park, which borders Jefferson Middle School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, escalated into gunfire Monday morning, leaving two teens dead and five others wounded, police said.
Winston-Salem officers were dispatched after receiving a report of a fight in progress at about 9:52 a.m. While units were en route, dispatchers alerted them that shots had been fired and multiple people had been struck by gunfire, Capt. Kevin Burns said at a news briefing.
Police located a 17-year-old male, identified as Erubey Romero Medina, with a gunshot wound in the park parking lot. Further inside the park, officers found 16-year-old Daniel Jimenez Millian, who had also been shot. Both teens were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Five additional teenagers between the ages of 14 and 19 sustained gunshot injuries; their conditions were reported as ranging from critical to minor. Officials said the wounded include four girls and one boy. Their names have not been released.
Investigation Underway
Detectives are actively working to determine each individual’s role in the shooting. "Preliminary information indicates that some of those injured may have also been involved in the shooting," Capt. Burns said. Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn Jr. confirmed there are currently no arrests and declined to discuss possible charges while the investigation continues.
Location, Schools and Safety Measures
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said the shooting occurred at Leinbach Park, adjacent to Jefferson Middle School. Jefferson Middle School and nearby Mount Tabor High School were briefly placed on secure hold; police said the shooting did not occur on school property. Both schools continued operations, and parents were permitted to pick up students if they chose.
"Having those cellphones out changes the behavior of our youth. Stay away from the fights. It's not the same as it used to be ... these fights now lead to weapons, and shootings, and videos. And we don't come back from that," said Police Chief William Penn Jr.
Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. added: "There is no shortage of guns in our community... they're using guns like they use their cellphones: indiscriminately."
Context and Call For Information
The shooting is recorded by the Gun Violence Archive as the 117th mass shooting in the United States this year; the archive, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot or killed, excluding the shooter. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Winston-Salem police as the investigation continues. No further details on suspects or motive were released.
This story was updated with additional information. CNN reporters Moriah Thomas, Travis Nichols and Shawn Nottingham contributed to the original report.
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