Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania Was the Scene of a Shooting Saturday Night

Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania was the scene of a shooting Saturday night. Allegheny County Police confirmed that shots were fired at the park during a fight between two juvenile groups. Two 15-year-olds were injured. The shooter was identified as a Black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

The incident occurred just before the park was set to close for the night. All guests were ushered out of the park as soon as the shots were fired. There was a reported gunshot in front of the Music Express amusement ride. This prompted other park patrons to run toward the exits of the park to avoid the area.

Kennywood Park has a history that dates back to the early twentieth century. It is a living museum of the “Golden Age of Amusement Parks”. Throughout the park, patrons will find a number of hair-raising rides and thrills. The park also features a swimming pool. In 1956, the pool was converted into a water attraction. A few years later, the pool was closed. During the Depression of the 1930s, the park lost money. But, business began to pick up after schools began to use the park for annual celebrations.

The Thunderbolt at Kennywood was the oldest of the park’s roller coasters. This thrill ride was originally located in Kansas City, Missouri. A fast-track version of the coaster is being constructed. While the new one is being built, the old one will remain in the park for the time being.

There were several scare zones at the park, including the seven haunted houses. Kennywood also hosts Phantom Fall Fest, which is a family-friendly Halloween event. Some of the attractions included trick-or-treating through the Story Book Forest, a maze, and a pendulum swing.

One of the newer thrill rides at Kennywood is the Black Widow. This pendulum swing ride will replace the current drop tower on the park’s Pitt Fall.

Another amusement park, West View Park in Lincoln Place, was organized by a former employee of Kennywood. This park had its own problems during the 1970s. However, it was able to survive after the PRC (Pittsburgh Railway Company) returned to run the park for two years. Guests were required to have a passport or a Pennsylvania driver’s license.

Pittsburgh’s own Scream Team is comprised of professional special effects artists. The team has performed at Kennywood in the past. On Sunday, the scream team was a part of an investigation at the park. They are asking for witnesses to provide a description of the shooter and any other information that can help police in their investigation.

Another ride in the park, the Whip, also experienced a collapse. This was in the park’s Lost Kennywood area. At least 35 people were hurt in the accident. Most injuries were to the neck and stomach.

The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department is helping with the investigation, as well as assisting with the reports of shots being fired at the park. Kennywood plans to reopen on Friday.