On May 28, 2025, a community was shaken, as a mass shooting at Harry Todd Park in Lakewood, Washington, sent seven people to the hospital. The usually calm Wednesday night incident happened just before eight pm in the lakeside park where families flocked.
Chaos Unfolds at a Popular Community Space
The police alert came after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire in the park, just north of American Lake. Officers arriving on the scene said it was chaos, with people running around everywhere. Emergency responders were tending to the wounded or securing the area, as families and children attempted to scatter in panic.
Most victims were transported to local hospitals by emergency medical crews; two others made their way to local medical facilities on their own. At least three of the seven victims, authorities said, are in critical condition. Police said little else about the attack, adding that two of those critically injured were male.
Motive and Suspects Still Unknown
No arrests have been made as of Thursday morning, and no suspects have been identified in public. Authorities are still trying to figure out how the shooting went down. Authorities have not said if the incident was random or targeted or if the shooter knew any of the victims. Police are calling for the public to provide any information, video, or photographs to assist in their investigation.
Officers are still hunting for clues inside the park and in surrounding neighborhoods, but say they can’t rule out the possibility of multiple suspects. The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released, nor have authorities confirmed whether any children were involved.
A Peaceful Park Shattered by Violence
A well-known Lakewood recreational area, Harry Todd Park, is frequented by families going to the waterfront, sports fields, and playgrounds. The violence is rare in the area, and many residents are in shock as a result of the shooting. The disbelief, they said, was widespread because you don’t expect something awful like this to happen at a place where you’re generally having a blast and laughing outdoors.
The gunfire was both sudden and terrifying, and witnesses said people dropped to their knees for cover or fled toward nearby homes and cars to get out of the line of fire. The emotional scars from the event are likely to linger as emergency responders worked quickly to secure the scene and tend to the injured.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
In the meantime, anyone who was at the park around the time of the shooting, police say, should come forward. Police say they are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses and will have additional police presence in the area in the days to come.
Officials in the region have also asked for calm and unity as the investigation continues. A vigil to support the victims and to help heal the community is being organized, and counseling services are being made available to those affected.
The city joins a growing list of American communities reeling from gun violence as Lakewood looks for answers. Our hope is that justice comes fast and the victims recover, both physically and emotionally.
