West Mifflin, PA – Police Respond to Reports of Shots Fired Near Kennywood Park
WEST MIFFLIN, PA — A peaceful evening near one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic amusement parks was shattered by chaos on Saturday night, as reports of gunfire near Kennywood Park prompted a heavy police response and sparked panic among patrons and residents.
Just after dusk, at approximately 9:30 p.m., emergency services were dispatched to the 4800 block of Kennywood Boulevard in West Mifflin following multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired in or near the vicinity of the park. Kennywood, a longtime staple of summer fun for families across the state, was still in operation at the time of the incident.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden eruption of panic as people fled from the area near the entrance and surrounding parking lots. According to scanner traffic and initial police reports, officers were advised of gunshots potentially fired by a male juvenile, described by witnesses as a young Black male, running through the Kennywood parking lot. The suspect’s identity has not yet been confirmed, and authorities are working to gather more information.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that a juvenile may have been injured in the incident. First responders quickly moved to secure the area, including sweeping the parking lots and perimeter of the amusement park, while officers attempted to locate the suspect. As of late Saturday night, no arrests have been officially announced, and the condition of any potential victims remains undisclosed.
The scene was one of confusion and urgency. Families and individuals who were still inside the park or nearby at the time were either sheltered in place or directed to leave the premises for their safety. Some parents reportedly became separated from their children in the panic, but reunification efforts were rapidly organized by local police and park security.
Authorities from West Mifflin Police Department, along with support from neighboring jurisdictions, remained on scene for hours following the incident. Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage from park cameras and nearby businesses in an effort to piece together what led to the gunfire and to identify those involved.
Kennywood Park has not yet issued an official statement, but a spokesperson is expected to comment once more details become available. The park may suspend operations temporarily as a precaution and out of respect for the ongoing investigation.
Local leaders have expressed concern over the incident, especially given the recent uptick in youth-related violence in and around public gathering areas across Allegheny County. The presence of firearms in recreational spaces has reignited conversations about public safety, gun control, and the importance of investing in community programs aimed at violence prevention.
The West Mifflin community, while shaken, is coming together in the aftermath of the event. Parents and residents are calling for swift justice and renewed efforts to ensure that spaces like Kennywood remain safe havens for families and children.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information or video footage from the area around the time of the incident is urged to contact the West Mifflin Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
As night fell on what was supposed to be a night of fun and laughter, the quiet around Kennywood Park now echoes with a community’s demand for answers, safety, and peace.