VIRGINIA BEACH, Va — A day after a 15-year-old girl was shot dead outside the Mt. Trashmore Summer Carnival, the event resumed Sunday with an enhanced police presence.
After searching for evidence at the scene through the night, Virginia Beach Police reported Sunday morning that a fight that had broken out in the carnival continued into the parking lot outside the event.
Watch: Sunday afternoon update on Mt. Trashmore shooting
When the fight resumed in the parking lot on Edwin Drive, at least one person drew a gun and began firing.
The victims were a 15-year-old girl, who was killed, and an 18-year-old man who was sent to the hospital in critical condition. As of Monday afternoon, the man is still in critical condition.
The identities of the victims are still unknown.
Virginia Beach
Girl, 15, killed in shooting near Mt. Trashmore carnival
Police have not identified a suspect.
VBPD announced the enhanced presence from city police, sheriff's deputies, and private security in a statement Sunday afternoon:
"The Mount Trashmore Summer Carnival will reopen today with an increased presence of Virginia Beach police officers. Virginia Beach Sheriff's deputies and private security will also assist, as they did last night," the statement reads. "The safety and well-being of residents and visitors are top priorities. We understand how the recent incident may have affected the community's sense of security. Our commitment is to make sure everyone in our city feels safe and protected."
Otis Kendricks has lived in Virginia Beach for 22 years and says Mt. Trashmore is a place for families, not gunfire.
"Out here is pretty nice you can bring your kids have fun bring your pets do whatever you want to out here typically real quiet real nice, nice little exercise spot," Kendricks said. "I don't know exactly what happened last night but that's typically not the scene."
Katie Bright and Kimo Barron told News 3 they were excited to go to the carnival for their annual portrait, but they were a little apprehensive due to Saturday's events.
"I never really feel unsafe in the area so it was kind of like a shock, a surprise, I didn't think that kind of thing happened a lot," said Bright.
"I was incredibly surprised," echoed Barron. "I come here to this park, like, every day."
Kendricks says he was also surprised to hear the news.
"But then again it's the beginning of the summertime, heat is making people catch tempers," he said. "A lot of kids are out and some kids don't want to act like kids but are still kids."
VBPD also said Sunday that they've created a digital portal for submitting evidence on the incident — or any other crimes that occurred at the carnival.
In a post to social media site X, formerly Twitter, the department wrote:
"VBPD is asking for the community’s assistance in helping us secure justice for those impacted by last night’s senseless act of violence. We have created a digital evidence portal where people can upload photos and videos pertaining to this case."
