A 16-year-old teen has been identified as the victim of a Saturday mass shooting at Lexington’s Charles Young Park.
In a Sunday afternoon media briefing, Mayor Linda Gorton said 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson was killed by gunfire just before 7 p.m. Saturday. Four others were shot at the park, which was hosting an East End Day community event.
No arrests have been made.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said “quite a few people” at the event came forward to share “very actionable information” but declined to give details about potential suspects.
“Today, our community is coming together to pray for those wounded, for Di’Zhon Robertson, and all who were affected by this tragedy,” Gorton said. “In this time of need, my focus, as always, is on serving our people. I am especially concerned about our young people. Please know, young people, you are resilient, and with help, you will get through this. I know you can learn to work out your differences without turning to violence.”
Officials did not give an update on the four other victims, which include a 4-year-old and a 14-year old. All sustained nonlife-threatening injuries, police have reported.
She thanked the Lexington Police Department for their quick response. Several officers were already at the park Saturday night when the shooting occurred, Weathers previously said.
Support services will be available at Dunbar Community Center from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, provided by One Lexington.
After Sunday’s briefing at the Charles Young Center, more than 120 people gathered to pray for the community. Gorton and five faith leaders led the service, as people stood around the edges of the basketball court. A certified psychologist was also available.
Weathers said Saturday’s shooting is “not indicative of what the East End is about” and there hasn’t been a similar incident in the park “in a long time.”
Saturday’s shooting is the first homicide in the city since February.
“We're going to do our best to hold those accountable who are involved in this, and we're going to do our best to make sure that events like this continue – events like East End Days, East End Family Reunion,” Weathers said.
One Lexington Director Devine Carama, who was at the celebration when the shooting occurred, called Saturday’s violence “unacceptable.”
“I was a few inches away from not coming home to my family,” Carama said. “I’ve seen my brothers helping those who were shot. There were young people underneath me asking me, ‘Mr. Devine, am I going to die?’”
Carama said the community could not be divided following Saturday’s shooting and instead focus on humanity. He encouraged anyone who was struggling to reach out and ask for help.
