Grand Prairie: A man attending a
birthday party at a roller rink opened fire yesterday night
after an apparent spat between family members, killing five
people and wounding at least three others before fatally
shooting himself, authorities said.
The shootings happened about 7 pm at Forum Roller World
in Grand Prairie when police said the man drew a pistol during
a fight between a husband and wife.
The victims' names and ages were not immediately
released. Grand Prairie police spokesman John Brimmer said no
young children or employees of the roller rink were among
them, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
How the gunman was related to the other people who died
was not immediately clear.
After the man arrived at a private birthday party, an
argument ensued and "it escalated to the point where he pulled
a gun and started shooting," Brimmer said.
The injured were taken to hospitals, and their conditions
weren't immediately disclosed. Grief counsellors were
available
for witnesses, victims and family members, Police Chief Steve
Dye said.
Derrian Harris, 18, of Grand Prairie said he rushed to
the rink yesterday night after hearing about the shootings,
joining others who stood in a bowling alley parking across the
street.
Aaron Feldt of Grand Prairie told The Dallas Morning News
he was across the street when he saw some victims run across
the parking lot of the roller rink, where decorative lights
were still flashing in the front windows.
"I saw family coming across the street looking panicked,"
Feldt said. "They had children along with some adults. You
could tell there was a sense of urgency and panic in their
eyes."
Great Southwest Parkway, a major street in an industrial
area in front of the rink, was partially blocked off after the
shootings.
About a dozen police vehicles with lights flashing and a
few fire trucks were parked nearby, with a mobile command
station in front of the building and police tape surrounding
it.
As of 9:30 p.m., bodies were still inside the building,
the Morning News reported.
Byron Raspberry of Grand Prairie said his children go to
the rink frequently because it is near their home.
"It doesn't make any sense," Raspberry said. "I don't
feel safe at all."
PTI
First Published: Sunday, July 24, 2011, 18:33