Police: 4 children shot at Orlando park

ORLANDO, Fla. — Four children were shot Sunday at Willows Park near Evans High School, the Orlando Police Department said.

Someone called 911 to report that three gunmen shot at a crowd at 3101 Willow Bend Blvd. around 6:15 p.m., police said.

Three teenage girls were shot in the leg and were taken to a hospital.

Police said a fourth victim with a gunshot wound went to a hospital later. Investigators linked the child's injuries to the shooting.

Keniesha Hunt, a nurse who lives nearby, said she ran to the park to help the victims after hearing gunfire.

Hunt said the victims begged her to save them, saying that they didn't want to die. She assured them they wouldn't.

"My hope ... is that they find them," Hunt said. "It can't keep happening ... You have to be mindful of other people."

Sandra Fatmi, president of the Pine Hills Community Council, told Channel 9's Lauren Seabrook that she's surprised and disappointed that a shooting would happen in a safe place like a park. She's met with about 60 children at an after-school program she runs to discuss what happened Sunday.

"(I'm) keeping them positive. I'm asking them if they know anything. If they see something, say something. I've created a safe environment for them," Fatmi said.

The teens' injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

The shooting remains under investigation.

"There has to be a safe place to live, work and play for our young people. There has to be," Fatmi said.

Fatmi said residents in the neighborhood have real concerns for retaliation of speaking with police. Residents even told Eyewitness News they were nervous to talk on camera about the shooting.

"They're scared for their lives. Some of them have been threatened and they are really fearful of protecting their families and making sure all is well," Fatmi said.

Cox Media Group