Five shot at high school student gathering in Maryland park [Video]

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — Five young people were shot Friday afternoon when gunfire broke out during a high school “senior skip day” gathering in a park in Greenbelt, a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., according to police.

The victims were hospitalized, with one in critical condition and the others in stable condition, Greenbelt Police Chief Rick Bowers said during a news conference Friday evening. The victims were ages 16 to 18.

Bowers said about 500 to 600 high school students convened in the park, where they were having a water gun fight — an annual tradition of sorts for high school seniors in the area. He said a similar event happened last year with no issues.

Because it was such a large group in a relatively small space, police arrived at Schrom Hills Park about 10 minutes before gunfire broke out, Bowers said. Officers were monitoring the gathering, not responding …