September 20, 2024

UPDATED: Three people shot near entrance to Six Flags Great America Sunday evening

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Three people were shot in the parking lot of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., prompting a heavy police response.

Initial reports indicated the injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. The amusement park, which closes at 8 p.m., was evacuated.

The three people were injured outside the park when shots were fired from a single vehicle, according to a spokesperson for the park, which is located about 45 miles north of Chicago. Park security and on-site Gurnee (Ill.) Police Department Substation officers responded immediately.

Law enforcement is still investigating. There was no initial word as to the conditions of the three individuals who were wounded.

By 10 p.m. law enforcement units were assisting residents who were arriving to pick up loved ones who had evacuated.

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Numerous police and fire departments respond to Six Flag Great America on Aug. 14, 2022, after three people were shot and wounded at the amusement park.

Rob Dicker / for MCT

A heavy media presence at the park entrance was moved into a media area from which to observe.

Law enforcement units from several agencies responded to the initial report of a shooting with possible multiple victims near the entrance to the amusement park.

WGN News spoke with Laurie Walker and her daughter, Grace, who were inside the park when the shooting incident occurred. Walker said they were waiting in line for the ‘Ricochet’ in the southwest area of the park around 7:50 p.m. when she noticed people running in a panic.

“There is an active shooter, get down, get down,” Walker recalled someone shouting. “We didn’t know what was going on, so we get down.”

Walker and her daughter climbed over two fences to get “out of plain view sight,” where she could call her husband. After hiding out for a short while, Walker says she was able to leave the park.

Gurnee is in Lake County, about 20 miles north of Highland Park, where seven people died in mass shooting during a July Fourth parade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A heavy police presence was assembled in the parking lot area of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill.

DANIEL GAITAN, KENOSHA NEWS PHOTOS: Six Flags Great America

Raging Bull remains a favorite after 20-plus seasons at Six Flags Great America. The theme park opens April 15 for the 2022 summer season.

Six Flags Photo

Riders reach for the sky on Six Flags Great America’s Vertical Velocity roller coaster. The theme park opens April 15 for the 2022 summer season.

Six Flags Photo

Riders tumble head over heels on The Joker, one of the roller coasters at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill.

Six Flags Photo

The skyline of Great America is dominated by Raging Bull, the yellow roller coaster seen above. Raging Bull will be joined this summer by the theme park’s new Maxx Force coaster.

SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA photos

Riders “fly” on Superman: The Ride at Six Flags Great America. The theme park in Gurnee, Ill., is open for its first regular season since 2019.

Six Flags Photo

Great America’s Carousel has been at the theme park since it opened more than 40 years ago.

Six Flags Photo

A giant Santa Claus figure greets and/or frightens visitors at Holiday in the Park in 2019. The event is open for its third year at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill.

Kenosha News Photo by Elizabeth Snyder

Maxx Force, foreground, will be built near Raging Bull (back).

SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

Maxx Force, a roller coaster set to open this summer at Great America, features five high-speed inversions.

SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA photo

The Demon is a classic roller coaster at Six Flags Great America.

Six Flags Photo

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