COLUMBUS, Ohio — The cameras in Bicentennial Park were not working at the time of the shooting Saturday that killed a teen and injured five others, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said during a press conference Monday.
“We take responsibility for that, and we’re fixing that immediately," Ginther said.
According to Ginther, it will be a top priority to make sure park security throughout the city is updated.
No suspects have been arrested and the park remains an active crime scene.
Columbus Police Chief Mike Woods said teens gathered at Bicentennial Park late Saturday evening through invites over social media. Starting as early as 10:06 p.m., police began received calls for noise complaints.
Then at 10:39 p.m., the department received calls that a larger crowd was forming.
By the time police arrived at 10:51 p.m., the crowd was fleeing the scene, running in all directions. Woods said at the same time they arrived, they also received calls of shots fired at the park.
Woods said it took longer than their 60-minute goal to respond to the noise complaints because of other calls of higher importance at the time.
"That loud music complaint is going to get pushed down further and further," Woods explained.
Woods said police quickly secured the scene and began looking for victims.
Olivia Kurtz, 16, was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m.
A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman were taken to Ohio State University to be treated for wounds. The boy had to get surgery, according to police. The other sustained minor injuries and are expected to be alright.
Kurtz' death is the city's 77th homicide, according to police.
“I've said it before. I will say it again, and I will keep saying it: Put the guns down. We need every single member of our community to step forward and hold those who commit these crimes accountable," Ginther said.
He also urged parents to look out for their children, saying even though it may seem like a harmless event it could attract people with poor intentions. Woods is asking families to submit any and all evidence they may have.
“It’s critically important that if a parent knows that if their kids was there to have that discussion with them," Woods said, asking families to give police any video, images or sound their children may have on their phones.