AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) – Six teenagers were taken to the hospital after a drive-by shooting at Nome Park on Monday afternoon, the Aurora Police Department said.
The victims are between the ages of 14 and 18. Aurora Central High School, which is located at 11700 E. 11th Ave., has the perimeter of the school secured. All the victims are students at the high school.
One child is in emergency surgery, APD Chief Vanessa Wilson said. First responders applied a tourniquet to the child after being shot.
An 18-year-old victim with minor injuries got to the hospital on their own after the initial incident. Three of the victims are currently being treated at Children’s Hospital and two are at UCHealth.
Sources inside the school told FOX31’s Joshua Short that kids are currently locked in classrooms and quiet, which is the protocol for situations like these.
Wilson said there are multiple suspects at-large and no longer at the scene. The perimeter has been expanded as police continue to investigate the area.
One witness described hearing 30 to 50 gunshots, then kids scattering.
Aurora Public Schools will be sending out an email and automated message to communicate dismissal for students to all Central High School parents.
This is the latest of several violent crimes at Nome Park this year.
FOX31’s Data Desk discovered three aggravated assaults that occurred at the park prior to this incident this year, including one that was gun-related. Another three gun-related aggravated assaults occurred across the street.
Nome Park was the location of a gang-related shooting in 2019 in which teen Dangelo Domena was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman made this statement on youth violence following the shooting:
A shooting today in a park by Aurora Central High School has left six young people hospitalized. My prayers are with the injured and their families. As the facts surrounding this incident become known, I look forward to hearing from our Chief of Police and from our District Attorney about what actions will be taken to apprehend and prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, those responsible for this incident. The most important function of government is the protection of its people and I strongly believe that public safety must always be the top priority for this city.
Wilson is asking the public to contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 with any information or video of the incident.
