Panic Erupts at Thomas Cloud Park During Star-Spangled Celebration; Officials Confirm No Active Shooter or Gunfire
HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio — What was meant to be a night of celebration, fireworks, and community unity at Thomas Cloud Park turned into chaos on Saturday night after false reports of an active shooter sparked widespread panic among attendees. The city’s annual Star-Spangled Celebration, a highly anticipated family-friendly event, was abruptly disrupted when someone in the crowd shouted “shooter,” triggering a chain reaction of fear and confusion.
As hundreds of residents gathered to enjoy the festivities, including live music, food vendors, and a grand fireworks finale, the joyful atmosphere quickly shifted to one of panic. Eyewitnesses described scenes of people frantically running, children crying, and families getting separated in the rush to escape what many believed to be a life-threatening situation.
However, Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore swiftly moved to dispel the rumors, reassuring the public that no shots had been fired and there was no active shooter.
“There was a lot of confusion and fear, understandably,” Mayor Gore said in a statement shared on social media. “But I want to be clear: after being in direct contact with our Chief of Police, I can confirm that this was a false alarm. Someone yelled ‘shooter,’ and that spread like wildfire. It caused mass panic, but there was no gunfire and no evidence of a threat.”
Emergency personnel and law enforcement officers responded quickly, securing the area and helping to guide attendees to safety. Many families were reunited thanks to the swift coordination of first responders, but the incident has left emotional wounds for many who believed they were in immediate danger.
Several attendees suffered minor injuries in the commotion, primarily due to tripping or being caught in the stampede-like rush for the exits. Paramedics were on-site to provide care, and no serious injuries were reported.
Videos circulated online in the aftermath showed people abandoning chairs, strollers, and picnic blankets as they ran, underscoring the intensity of the fear that gripped the crowd. The fireworks show was canceled as officials prioritized public safety and crowd control.
The Star-Spangled Celebration is a cherished Huber Heights tradition that draws residents from across the city and surrounding areas. This year’s event, which was expected to be one of the largest yet, was instead marked by fear and confusion due to misinformation that spread rapidly among attendees.
Mayor Gore urged the community to avoid jumping to conclusions or spreading unverified information in the future.
“Events like this highlight the power of words and the importance of staying calm,” he said. “We live in times when people are understandably on edge, and that makes it even more critical to ensure our responses are measured and based on facts. We are grateful there was no real threat tonight, and even more grateful to our police and emergency teams who acted quickly and professionally.”
In the aftermath, city officials are evaluating the incident to determine how future events can be made even safer. This may include enhanced communication systems, crowd control measures, and public education on how to respond in moments of uncertainty without causing undue panic.
While the celebration didn’t end as planned, many in Huber Heights are expressing gratitude that the situation was not as dire as originally feared—and are looking ahead to future community events with hopes of healing and renewed safety planning.
City leaders are encouraging anyone affected by the incident or in need of emotional support to contact local resources and counseling services.