A Florida back to school event could have made tragic headlines on Saturday if not for the presence — and quick thinking — of a good guy with a legal license to carry a firearm.
“Peace in the City,” the event which was held in Titusville, Fla., was billed as a “day of fun” with “no violence” — but that didn’t stop a man (as yet unidentified by authorities) from returning to the location after a fistfight and opening fire.
Dwight Harvey, father of the event’s organizer, was on hand taking a live video of the event. Students were collecting and distributing school supplies as the shots first rang out.
A bystander with a legal license to carry a firearm quickly engaged the shooter, preventing what could certainly have been disastrous. The shooter was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, but no other casualties have been reported.
Isaac Campbell Park shooting scene secure. One male victim airlifted to local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Titusville Police Detectives on scene conducting ongoing active investigation. pic.twitter.com/ytDfB5AVfd
— Titusville Police FL (@TitusvillePD) August 4, 2018
As Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson told local ABC News affiliate WFTV, “We are extremely grateful that nobody else was injured in this incident. This suspect opened fire at a crowded public park, this could have been so much worse.”
No charges are expected to be filed against the bystander.
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