LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At the start of Louisville’s Spring Break, on Friday, March 28, there was a shooting at Waterfront Park. The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) provided details during a news conference on Wednesday, April 4.
It was a calm Friday evening at the Waterfront Park prior to the shooting. Once shots were fired, adults and children at a nearby playground ran away from the scene.
“What we want to point out here is the impact an incident like this has and can have on our community,” said LMPD Major Bryan Edelen while playing security footage from the park.
LMPD said the shooting involved two juvenile groups. Three minors were arrested and there were no reported injuries or fatalities.
“Our officers immediately were able to get to and confiscate this weapon and do it in a professional manner that kept everybody in the public safe,” Edelen said.
That weapon was a Draco Pistol, which is considered by police, a smaller version of an AK47.
“It’s very concerning to me, and it should be concerning to everyone, that we have juveniles with this level of firepower out on the street,” said LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey.
Some parents at the park expressed concern about the shooting, saying they avoid taking their kids there due to reoccurring issues.
However, others said they will continue to go to the park.
“It hasn’t deterred me whatsoever,” said Archie Henderson, who walks at the park regularly. “It’s too much of a nice venue to not come down.”
During the presser, LMPD showed a photo of one of its cars at the park before the shooting.
“When you look at our crime plan and our strategy that we’ve employed, we didn’t increase patrols following this,” Humphrey said. “We were already increasing patrols in those areas.”
Henderson confirmed he has seen LMPD presence at the park.
“They’re usually always here, so that’s a comfortable feeling what I have as well,” Henderson said.
Humphrey said the patrols are there to protect park goers and to deter people from committing crimes in the area.
The shooting is still under investigation. Humphrey is urging parents to talk with their children to ensure that they stay out of trouble.
