UPDATE: Three shooting victims at drag strip in Paris are dead
Sheriff David Beth talks to reporters at the entrance to Great Lakes Dragaway
Three people shot by a single gunman at Great Lakes Dragaway in Paris Sunday evening have died, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said.
Beth said the shooting may have been gang related. A suspect was not in custody as of 9:30 p.m.
The shooter was described as a black male in his 20s, wearing cutoff blue jean shorts, a black hoodie sweatshirt, with shaved hair on at least one side.
The shooter approached three people at a food vendor set up in a parking area. The shooting was reported at about 7 p.m. The victims were shot at close range.
All three of the people who were shot are believed to be from Illinois and two of them from Aurora, Illinois, Beth said.
Two of the people died at the scene. One died while being transported by ambulance to a hospital, Beth said. All of the victims were male.
"Only three people were shot and all three of those have died," Beth said.
An event at the drag strip Sunday, called Larry's Fun Fest, had attracted about 5,000 people to the event, many from Milwaukee and the Chicago area.
Beth said he interviewed some friends of the victims, who said they had no idea what motivated the shooting.
Beth said authorities did not know where the shooter was or if he might even still be on the scene. Some people said the shooter left the scene in a black vehicle, Beth said.
"I don't know if our suspect is still here or he left, I don't know," Beth said.
A motive for the shooting was unknown, Beth said. There had been no altercations earlier in the day.
"The detectives that I talked to, we're not aware exactly of what caused this," Beth told reporters.
The food vendor was located in a parking are, not the regular food vending area, Beth said.
Beth asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the Sheriff's Department (262-605-5100).
"We would love someone .. to call the Kenosha Sheriff's Department and let them know what you know," Beth said.
Investigation into the incident was still ongoing at the scene as of the press conference time and Beth said he expected it to continue through the night.
Cars were still leaving the property at about 9:45 p.m.
Here is video of the Beth press conference:
Brian Mitchell is a racer and volunteer at the track. He characterized the fest as a positive event where people try to escape a bad element. Here is video of an interview with Brian Mitchell from last night at the track (from freelance photographer Earlene Frederick):
Posted in: Paris, Police/fire, Uncategorized.
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