A shooting at a large party near Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma, left at least 18 people hospitalized Sunday night. Police are searching for suspects, with no arrests made as of Monday. The incident occurred amid chaos following an argument at the gathering.
Authorities responded to reports of shots fired around 9 p.m. Sunday at a gathering of young people near Arcadia Lake, about 13 miles north of Oklahoma City. Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward said the event drew around 250 attendees, mostly young adults from the Oklahoma City area, promoted via social media as 'Sunday Funday' at a lakeside pavilion until midnight. At least three victims remain in critical condition, with injuries ranging from ages 16 to 30, according to hospital officials and police statements Monday morning. Ten patients were treated at Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, and three at Integris Health Edmond Hospital, an Integris spokesperson told CBS News. One healthcare system reported to The Associated Press that three were critical and four serious, though the exact number of gunshot wounds remains unclear. Witness Jeremiah Smith described the trouble starting with girls arguing over boyfriends, leading to widespread panic. 'Everybody got scared, dudes was panicking, women was panicking, people seeing their friends fight,' he told The Associated Press. The wooded location complicated the overnight investigation, with crews planning to search through sunrise, as reported by CBS Oklahoma City affiliate KWTV. Police established a family reunification center at a local Walmart. Ward emphasized the ongoing effort: 'This is obviously a very terrifying situation and we understand the concern from the public and those involved and we are working extremely hard to find the suspects.' Arcadia Lake, an artificial reservoir in the suburb of Edmond, serves as a popular spot for recreation.