A Fourth of July event in Blue Ash turned tumultuous after police say approximately 400 unaccompanied teens set off fireworks, startling attendees into thinking they were in the middle of a shooting. The Blue Ash Police Department has reported several arrests in connection with the chaos at the Red, White, and Blue Ash celebration held at Summit Park, as reported by WLWT.
Witnesses told Local 12 about the terror of mistaking fireworks for gunfire, recounting moments when families, along with their young children, were sent running in fear. "My biggest concern, obviously, was to keep our daughter safe. But it was terrifying not knowing, like, could I get lost? Could she get lost? Could he get lost? Could he get shot?" Andrea Donovan shared with the publication. While fleeing from what was believed to be a life-threatening situation, the need to protect the vulnerable entailed a horror that no parent should experience.
The confusion further escalated as many people did not hear the clarifications from law enforcement about the nature of the sounds, with social media playing a role in spreading anxiety. One of the youths was arrested and charged with assault of a police officer after causing a burn injury to his leg with the fireworks, WLWT reported. Details of other arrests and potential charges are expected to be disclosed in the coming days.
