Shooting At Madison Park: 18-Year-Old Hurt

LAKEWOOD, OH — An 18-year-old was hurt during a shooting at Madison Park on Tuesday evening.

The shooting happened at 6:45 p.m. The teenager was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, according to Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck. He was taken into surgery, but his condition is unknown at this time.

Police are still investigating the shooting and trying to identify suspects.

"Gun violence in our parks is unacceptable, full stop. The risk of harm to children at sports practices is 1000 percent more unacceptable. We must take decisive action safeguard the public, especially in our parks," Councilperson Tom Bullock told Patch.

Councilperson Tess Neff encouraged residents to attend the upcoming Public Safety Committee meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday.

"It causes me immense sadness that there was a second shooting at Madison Park. I’m incredibly grateful only one person sustained a gunshot wound. Unfortunately, Lakewood is experiencing incredibly difficult times with respect to crime. People are scared and upset," Neff said. "It is critical we work together to support one another and our safety forces."

Councilperson John Litten shared the following message on Twitter.

Police are still investigating a previous shooting at Madison Park, which happened March 12. During that incident, Kaucheck previously said, an argument broke out at the basketball court over who could play next, two suspects then shot at one man. The third man then pulled out a gun and shot at the two suspects.

One of the suspects was wounded in the shooting. He was treated at a local hospital and then charged.

Since that incident, Lakewood upgraded the lights at Madison Park, part of a safety plan implemented in the wake of gun violence in the city. The project had a $120,000 budget.

"I have 100 percent confidence in Lakewood Police officers to respond to this incident, and I thank them for the courage and professionalism with which I have always known them to conduct themselves. It is our responsibility in city leadership to ensure Lakewood police have full budgetary resources and other tools needed for an expanded presence now and throughout the warm weather months," Bullock added.