A festival celebrating the end of slavery turned gruesome on Saturday when an 11-year-old boy was shot by a 15-year-old.
The Juneteenth Festival took place in Columbus, Ohio and was cancelled immediately after the shooting. The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh and was rushed to the hospital. Officials say the injuries are not life-threatening; the boy remains in stable condition at the local Nationwide Children's Hospital. A 15-year-old male identified as Lovauntea J. Mickens was arrested for the shooting, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Police are further investigating the possible involvement of two other teenagers along with Mickens.
The shooting left festival attendees in shock and fearing for their safety. As a safety precaution, authorities evacuated the park at around 7 p.m. local time, two hours before the event was supposed to conclude for the day.
The Juneteenth Festival is celebrated on the nineteenth day of June each year, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas in 1865. Residents of 42 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday or a special day of observance.
The shooting is not the only incidence of violence that occurred during the festival. Police say four other young people were involved with fighting before the shooting took place. They were subsequently arrested.
Police are still trying to determine the reasons behind the Juneteenth shooting. The Huffington Post reports that officials are asking the public for any media devices that may have captured pictures or video of the incident to be used for evidence in the case.
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