Ashley Mott

amott@thenewsstar.com

Two are dead and three wounded following a shooting in a parking lot at the Monroe Civic Center early Sunday morning.

Chief Quentin Holmes said officers were dispatched to the location shortly after 1:30 a.m. regarding a fight that had broken out as patrons were leaving a private event attended by as many as 2,000 people.

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"It was a basic fourth of July celebration so to speak," Holmes said. "A party that was well-attended. There was absolutely no problem from what we understand from within the party itself."

An initial investigation suggests two groups of people with a previously existing conflict began fighting in the parking lot after the event concluded. As officers were responding, gunshots were fired, and five people were hit.

Two victims died Sunday, and three were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

The party was a BYOB event according to reports, but Holmes said further investigation, including autopsy reports, would be required to determine if the victims had consumed alcohol prior to the altercation.

"This was a crime that took place with these groups of people," Holmes said. "It's not where they are going out looking for people to fight or get involved. These people knew each other, had an issue previously and saw each other here tonight and got into another fight that led to gunfire."

Multiple witnesses were being interviewed Sunday afternoon, Holmes said. Information on potential suspects is not being released at this time as accounts are corroborated.

"We do have some promising leads," Holmes said. "I can say that with confidence. It’s just a matter of getting all the pieces together to be able to bring suspects in with enough probable cause to make the arrest."

2 dead after shooting in Civic Center lot