An armed bystander stopped a potential mass shooting after a gunman opened fire on a crowd at a back-to-school event at a Florida park. Police issued a statement saying that one of the vendors, who had a legal concealed carry permit, quickly pulled out his gun and shot the gunman, who survived but suffered life-threatening injuries. Thanks to the vendor's quick reaction, the only person injured was the shooter.
“We are extremely grateful that nobody else was injured in this incident” said Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson. “This suspect opened fire at a crowded public park, this could have been so much worse”.
The back-to-school and anti-violence event was organized by the family of Dwight Harvey, who was working a DJ booth when he heard 12 rapid fire shots.
“I was like, who lit firecrackers? I turned around and just said, ‘Oh no, he’s got a gun, he’s got a gun,’” Harvey told Florida Today. “I thought to myself, ‘Did this just happen?’ People were taking cover, everybody was scattered."
According to WFTV, the gunman had gotten into a fist-fight with somebody at the event earlier in the day and returned with a gun. Police have not released the name of the suspect or the bystander who saved the day.