A 16-year-old boy and 40-year-old woman were shot as multiple gunmen fired ‘a large number of shots’ from two rival cars outside a Michigan high school graduation ceremony.
Cops have launched an urgent manhunt for two shooters, who sped off after exchanging gunfire in a parking lot near East Kentwood High School Thursday night.
According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the teenager, who was from Texas, had been struck on the wrist. A 40-year old woman from Grand Rapids was also struck two times.
They are both being treated in local hospitals. Both appear to be stable. Police have not established any connection between the victims and the suspects.
‘It’s possible they just happened to by bystanders in the event,’ Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said during an on-site press briefing.
This shooting occurs just one day following shots fired at a Tennessee high school graduation, which left one teenager dead and one injured.
Shots were fired in the stadium at East Kentwood High School (pictured) after a commencement ceremony for the district’s alternative school, Crossroads Alternative High School, Thursday night
LaJoye Young stated that gunfire was exchanged as families left the scene. East Kentwood High School stadium where the district’s alternative school, Crossroads Alternative High School, was holding its commencement ceremony.
At Thursday’s ceremony, 60 students and their families participated. The shooting was over and attendees could leave right away.
Middle school students perform simultaneously in the auditorium.
‘This is a very traumatic thing to go through and I would say be empathetic to other members in the community and understand that going through something like this is something that will be difficult for them … to talk through it,’ she said. “When an event such as this happens, the whole community is affected.”
Although authorities don’t believe that there is any threat to the community at large, LaJoye Young did warn of violence within the area.
The sheriff indicated that he was concerned about violence in the community and would return to the communities to keep the people safe. We must all work together in order to solve these problems. It’s up each individual to ensure that everyone in the community is safe.
Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools, released a statement stating that the district would offer support and counseling to anyone in need.
He wrote, “When violence happens within our community it is both tragic and troubling.” “We are committed to the safety and health of our community, and we will offer support and counselling to students who need it.”