COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The opening of the Six Flags Over Georgia season was marked Saturday by a chaotic scene involving fights breaking out across the park and then a police and security clearout that ended with a 15-year-old shot by an officer nearby.
Much still remains unknown about what exactly happened in the shooting, as police allege they were fired at from the crowd leaving the park and then the teen was shot in return fire. The GBI has said he is in critical condition and that they recovered a handgun near him.
In an update, Cobb Police said the teen will face several charges in connection with the incident, including aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, among other charges.
RELATED: Guests react after shooting near Six Flags Over Georgia leaves 15-year-old critically injured
Here's a rundown of what we know following the weekend incident, including some critical pieces of information we still don't know:
Six Flags Over Georgia fights, police response, shooting | What we know
- Police responded to the park to aid security as widespread fights led to a deteriorating scene at Six Flags: Videos posted to social media showed some of the fights, appearing to occur between groups of teens and young people scattering throughout the park as it began to be cleared out. It's unclear exactly how many different fights broke out or if there was any specific reason so many appeared to occur simultaneously.
- According to Cobb County Police, officers responded around 6:15 p.m. with a crowd of 500-600 "running through the park and fighting": It was at this point that the park was cleared out. Six Flags noted that what followed happened off park property near South Service Road.
- According to the GBI, at this point "multiple people began shooting": The bureau said an unoccupied Cobb Police patrol car was hit. "As officers identified where the shots were coming from, they ran after people who had run into the woods," the GBI said.
- An officer "fired his weapon, hitting one minor" the GBI said: That 15-year-old was taken to Grady Hospital in critical condition.
- 15-year-old's condition: 11Alive reached the Cobb County Police Department early Monday morning, and they responded around 5:30 a.m. that they did not have any update regarding his condition. He has not been identified.
- What we know and don't know about the teen's alleged involvement in the gunfire: The GBI said a handgun was recovered near the teen. Neither the bureau nor Cobb Police to this point have alleged that they know whether or not the teen actually fired the weapon.
- The GBI continues to investigate: Further updates are expected later Monday.
- 15-year-old faces charges: Cobb Police said the 15-year-old, who is critically hurt, will face several charges in connection with the incident, including aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm under 18 and interference with government property.
- What Six Flags said: "It is incredibly disappointing that our community is disrupted at public events throughout the region by groups of underaged youth," a Six Flags statement said. It added that "we join our community and the Atlanta region in our commitment to safety and security. We won’t put up with that type of activity here." More of that statement is available in this story.
- What Six Flags guests said the next day: They described calm and sparse crowds at the park on Sunday. "I did see a little more security people than normal, but it wasn't alarming," one guest, Barbara Goss, said. "It did seem a little more empty than usual, but, ultimately, I felt safe," another guest, Jaz Cowan, said.
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