TITUSVILLE, Fla. — An armed bystander shot a man who opened fire on a back-to-school event at a Titusville park after a fistfight, police said.
The shooting occurred at Isaac Campbell Park on South Street shortly after 5:20 p.m. when the shooter, whom police have not identified, returned to the park after a fistfight and began firing, investigators said.
A bystander, who was licensed to a carry a firearm, shot the gunman, police said. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.
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The bystander who shot the man waited for officers and was cooperative with the investigation, police said.
“We are extremely grateful that nobody else was injured in this incident,” said Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson. “This suspect opened fire at a crowded public park, this could have been so much worse."
A flyer posted on Facebook and Instagram said a back to school event called "Peace in the City" was going on at the park at the time of the shooting.
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Dwight Harvey, who is the father of the event's organizer, was streaming the event live on his Facebook page when the shooting occurred.
August 4th, Peace In The City ✊🏽 Titusville Fl at Issac Campbell Park! Bring the kids out for some fun 👬
Posted by Andre Mckenzie on Wednesday, July 18, 2018
In the video, many children and parents are sifting through backpacks stuffed with school supplies under a pavilion at the park when 12 rapid-fire shots ring out.
Watch: Shots ring out at Titusville park. Video courtesy Dwight Harvey:
After consulting with the State Attorney’s Office, detectives said they do not expect to file charges against the bystander since his actions were within the law, according to the preliminary investigation, police said.
Harvey said he and his family planned the Peace in the City event after his cousin, Tony Butler, was found dead in a burning car in Mims in July.
"We were just trying to do something positive for the community," he said.
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
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