UPDATE: 2:35 P.M.
The Hot Springs Police Department has confirmed one person is dead and three are injured following Thursday night’s shooting outside of the Hot Springs High School graduation ceremony.
39-year-old Michael Jordan died at a local hospital after being shot, according to a press release. Police said that three other people were also injured in the shooting. They were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.
Police say that 25-year-old Charles Johnson began shooting in the crowd after officers arrived to diffuse a situation. Officers returned fire, striking Johnson, who was able to get away.
Johnson was later arrested at a hospital when he went to seek treatment for his injuries. He is being charged with First Degree Murder and three counts of First Degree Battery.
The Arkansas State Police is investigating the officer involved shooting, and all officers involved have been placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of the ASP investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY:
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Several people were injured after a large fight broke out and shots were fired outside of an Arkansas convention center where a graduation ceremony had taken place, police said.
The shooting happened Thursday night outside of the Hot Springs Convention Center, which had hosted a graduation ceremony for Hot Springs World Class High School, The Sentinel-Record reported.
The fight and subsequent shooting happened in a parking lot adjacent to the convention center, said Hot Springs Police Officer First Class Omar Cervantes. He said “multiple people” were injured but did not have an exact number or the nature of their injuries.
The injured were taken to hospitals and their conditions weren’t immediately released. No arrests have been announced.
Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus said in a statement that no current students or graduates were involved.
The shooting happened near downtown Hot Springs, a popular tourist destination that’s about 45 miles (75 kilometers) southwest of Little Rock.
