A 47-year-old Lititz man was fatally shot while walking in Lancaster County Central Park on Wednesday evening, and the man suspected of pulling the trigger later died at a local hospital. The gunfire erupted near Rockford and Williamson roads at about 6:30 p.m., leaving neighbors and parkgoers rattled. Investigators say they are still sorting out what happened and emphasize there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officers with the Lancaster Township Police Department and Lancaster County Park Rangers responded to reports of shots fired, according to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police. The bureau’s case log notes that the scene was determined to be within Lancaster City limits and that Williamson and Rockford roads were temporarily closed while investigators processed the area. The bureau lists its non-emergency tip line as 717-664-1180, according to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, for anyone with information.
As reported by CBS Pittsburgh, police identified the victim as 47-year-old Kevin Lucas and said 32-year-old Brandon Cunningham of East Hempfield Township fired the shots. According to the outlet, Cunningham also fired at a person who was walking with Lucas, but that person was not struck. Police told CBS that Cunningham did not know Lucas or the person with him. Cunningham was taken to a local hospital and died two days later, authorities said.
Friends and Family Remember Lucas
Lucas’s obituary describes him as a devoted family man who enjoyed cooking, hiking and playing basketball, and it lists his wife, Diana Ashford, four children and several grandchildren among survivors, per Snyder Funeral Home. The notice says a graveside service is scheduled for Friday, July 3 at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. Loved ones wrote that family was central to Lucas’s life and that his humor and generosity will be deeply missed.
Where It Happened
Lancaster County Central Park is a large county park on the southern edge of Lancaster City with trails, ballfields, a pool and historic sites. Local maps show the park intersecting Rockford and Williamson roads near the scene. County park documents and local guides note several trailheads and parking areas along Rockford Road that are commonly used by hikers and visitors. Authorities closed nearby roads for a time while evidence was collected and the scene was processed.
The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and later ruled the deaths a homicide and a suicide, according to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police case log. Police say the investigation remains active, and detectives are working with the coroner to determine a motive and the exact sequence of events. Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip through the bureau’s online portal or call the non-emergency line.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For tips about the shooting, contact Lancaster City police at 717-664-1180 or submit a tip online through the bureau’s portal.
