ORLANDO, Florida – At least 12 people were injured in a shooting Monday night in a July 4 celebration at Lake Eola in Orlando, police said.
Park attendees attending Fireworks at the Fountain, the city’s annual Independence Day celebration, began fighting shortly after the fireworks began at 9:45 p.m.
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Orlando police said someone is believed to have thrown firecrackers or some other type of fireworks into the crowd and the noise was confused with gunfire. Police said there was no evidence that shots were fired.
A dozen people were injured during a stampede, which was captured on video. Attendees at the park began to flee, seeking refuge and some even jumped into Lake Eola to escape the apparent danger.
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“This whole (area) was full of people who were just stepping on everyone. They stepped on us. They nailed us to the ground,” one woman said.
“We saw people running and everyone just started running. I don’t know. It was scary,” a man told News 6 presenter Matt Austin as he continued the fireworks show.
“I have no idea what happened. All I know is I’m not trying to die, so we just tried to leave as soon as possible,” another woman said.
No arrests were made, but Orlando police are looking for more information about the scare, saying: “Our officers remain in Lake Eola in an effort to confirm what caused the confusion (Monday night) during the fireworks show. Your help is needed! If you were in this area at about 9:50 p.m., (call) our non-emergency line, 321-235-5300, or Crimeline. “
OPD deputy chief Eric Smith says the department does not believe there was an active gunman at the Eola Lake fireworks celebration on July 4 where the crowd could be seen fleeing.
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