Two teenagers were killed and five others injured after gunfire erupted at a Winston-Salem park.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A prearranged fight between young people turned deadly Monday morning when multiple individuals opened fire at a city park, leaving two teenagers dead and several others wounded, according to state investigators.
The shooting unfolded at Leinbach Park near a middle school and quickly escalated from what authorities described as a planned altercation. The violence left a community shaken and prompted an ongoing investigation involving local police and the State Bureau of Investigation, with no immediate arrests announced.
Officers were first called to the park around 9:50 a.m. after reports of a fight among juveniles. While police were on the way, additional calls reported gunfire. When officers arrived, they found multiple people shot and several individuals fleeing the scene. Authorities said the confrontation had been planned between young people, but it rapidly escalated when multiple participants began shooting.
Two teenage boys, ages 16 and 17, were pronounced dead at the scene. Five others, ranging in age from 14 to 19, were also shot and transported for medical care, with injuries described as ranging from minor to critical. Investigators said some of those injured may have been involved in the exchange of gunfire, complicating efforts to determine exactly who fired weapons during the incident.
Police officials said the shooting involved more than one shooter and stressed that the event was not considered an active shooter situation because it stemmed from a specific confrontation rather than a random attack. Authorities have not released the identities of most victims and have not publicly identified suspects, though investigators said they are working to determine each person’s role.
The park sits near Jefferson Middle School, which was placed on a temporary secure hold as a precaution. Another nearby school also enacted safety measures during the incident. School officials later lifted those restrictions and said students were safe. The park itself was closed as investigators processed the scene and gathered evidence.
Police Chief William H. Penn said during a briefing that the violence was preventable and expressed frustration over the circumstances that led to the shooting. He said the gathering appeared to have been organized in advance and drew multiple young people to the park, where tensions escalated quickly.
Authorities are continuing to interview witnesses, review video evidence, and analyze forensic details. Officials said the investigation remains active, with potential charges still under consideration as detectives piece together the timeline of events and identify those responsible for firing weapons.
The incident adds to a growing number of shootings linked to disputes among young people, raising concerns among community leaders about supervision and conflict escalation. Law enforcement officials said they are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to clarify what led to the deadly exchange.
As of Tuesday, no arrests had been announced and investigators said additional updates would be provided as the case develops, including possible charges and further details about those involved.
Author note: Last updated April 22, 2026.