Gunfire shattered a quiet Monday morning at Leinbach Park in northwest Winston-Salem after what police say started as a planned fight among young people. The confrontation, which unfolded around 10 a.m., sent multiple people to hospitals and pushed nearby schools into secure hold. Officers flooded the area, blocked off surrounding streets and began piecing together what quickly turned into a sprawling crime scene. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation joined the effort as the city's police department worked to track down everyone involved.
What authorities say
The Winston-Salem Police Department said the violence broke out around 9:50 to 10 a.m. when two young people met at the park for a fight that escalated into multiple people opening fire. The department posted a series of social media updates asking residents to steer clear while officers and investigators locked down the scene and gathered evidence, according to Spectrum News.
Schools, road closures and search tactics
Jefferson Middle School and Mount Tabor High were placed on secure hold as a precaution while officers swept the area, and school officials stressed that students were safe and classes carried on. Police closed Norman Road at Robinhood Road and Sally Kirk Road at Norman Road and deployed drones to help search for suspects. Authorities urged parents to stay away from the scene and instead use Crime Stoppers tip lines at 336-727-2800 or text 336-276-1717, according to WXII 12 News.
Investigation status
Investigators said several people, including both victims and suspects, had been identified and located, although they were still working to account for everyone. Officials had not yet released a confirmed victim count, according to AP. Authorities added that some of those involved were juveniles and that the gunfire did not occur on school property. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting local officers as they collect evidence and interview witnesses.
Community reaction and next steps
Neighbors reported seeing a heavy police presence, helicopters circling overhead and dozens of patrol cars stacked along Robinhood Road as crews worked to secure the park. Parents told reporters their children were shaken by the sudden chaos. Early local coverage noted that the exact number of people injured was still unclear late in the morning, and police urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers or use department tip lines, according to LocalMemphis. Officials said more details will be released as the investigation moves forward.
