A violent incident involving a group of teenagers unfolded near the Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park in Cobb County on Saturday evening, resulting in a 15-year-old boy being critically injured. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. when approximately 500 to 600 teenagers began causing chaos and engaging in fights near the park’s entrance.
Cobb County Police and park security initiated efforts to disperse the crowd. During the process, shots were fired at the police from a location just outside the park’s boundaries, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Although no officers were injured, one bullet hit an unoccupied police vehicle.
The source of the gunfire was traced to a nearby wooded area. In response, an officer returned fire, striking a 15-year-old boy. A firearm was later discovered in the vicinity. The injured teenager was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
The gunfire caused panic among the crowd, leading to a mass exodus from the park. Many of the teenagers were subsequently collected by their parents from a nearby Wendy’s restaurant. The incident was captured in several videos that were later shared on social media platforms.
Tiasione Justice, a local resident, spoke to Fox affiliate WAGA about the incident. He expressed his shock at the size of the group involved and suggested that parents need to exercise better control over their children.
The police have not yet confirmed if any arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Six Flags, in a statement to the media, expressed disappointment over the incident, emphasizing their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for their guests. They also clarified that the shooting did not occur on their property or parking lot.
This is not the first time that violence has marred the park’s opening day. Similar incidents were reported last year. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the shooting and will submit its findings to the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office for review.