As the war that is no longer a war according to some, continues its slow boil in the waters near Iran and in Lebanon, a group of entrepreneurs in Oklahoma City decided to throw a kick-ass party in the suburb of Edmond. An outfit calling itself, Crowd Control Entertainment began promoting the bash, which was scheduled for this past Sunday evening at a Lake Arcadia campground. The featured performer was billed as being, DJ Drop It. The flyers, spread across various social media platforms, promised, "food, drinks, music, and good vibes." The event was named, "Sunday Funday."
In theory you had to be an adult to attend, but no one was checking IDs, so reports are there were scads and scads of underage kids who showed up. In addition, Crowd Control Entertainment didn't reserve the campgrounds, or get a permit to hold the party from the Edmond, OK Parks Department.
So, Sunday evening, what is described as a, "large number, " of young adults and teen-agers showed up at Lake Arcadia's Scissortail Campground for a party held at night. One being thrown without a permit, and, apparently, without any security. Maybe because, you know, security might put a chill on those, "good vibes." A party where presumably alcohol was being served, or at the very least, being brought in by those in attendance.
Oh, what could possibly go wrong?
Initial reports that still persist say two unidentified men wearing ski masks showed up and began randomly firing weapons. One witness interviewed by the local CBS affiliate didn't mention anyone in ski masks, but said a fight broke out in the crowd which almost immediately turned into a widespread brawl. During the melee, shots were fired, possibly because these days no one has time for a fist fight. As the scene quickly turned into a cross between the gunfight at the OK Corral and the Battle of Los Angeles, people understandably panicked and ran every which direction. By the time it was over 23 were either wounded by bullets, or sustained injuries during the mad rush to get out of there. (When you run wildly into a wooded area at night there is always the distinct possibility of slamming face first into a fucking tree.)
Reports today say seven people remain hospitalized, three of them in critical condition. It's also reported Crowd Control Entertainment--a misnomer if there ever was one--and DJ Drop It have apologized online for the event. Beyond that, neither are responding to media requests for interviews. Who can blame them? At this point the odds seem good name changes and relocations are already in progress for everyone who organized this disaster. If they have any brains at all, they must know that potential litigants are lining up at attorney's offices all across the metro at this very moment.
The Mayor of Edmond, Mark Nash held a news conference during which he reassured citizens and potential residents, Edmond remains one of the most, "desirable," places to live in the state and nation. He added, such crimes hardly ever occur in the OKC burb of a little over 100,000. What he didn't say was that when they do happen in Edmond, the casualties are always staggering.
40 years ago this summer, postal worker, Patrick Sherrill walked into the Edmond post office. Before he blew his own diseased head off, he killed 14 of his fellow employees and wounded six others. Sherrill's madness, coupled with other postal worker acts of violence led to the invention of the uniquely American phrase, "Going postal."
Mayor Nash went on to tell the media he wouldn't hesitate to take his own family out to Lake Arcadia, but added, "not at midnight." According to the His Honor the lake isn't patrolled at night. It's a policy you might want to re-think, Mr. Mayor. Especially since there was a small number of overnight campers at Scissortail that night who had their peaceful evening by the lake interrupted by Sunday Funday. A couple were among the first to deliver aid to the victims before the police and EMT's arrived.
The Edmond Police who are handling the mass shooting, hasn't identified any suspects, at least not publicly. Perhaps it is best they don't. There is no telling who is in the wind already because of this nightmare. The entire investigation at this time remains, as they say, ongoing. All we know for sure at moment, is that there were more people out at Lake Arcadia with guns than just those two mysterious masked men. However, that shouldn't surprise anyone. This is America for God's sake. The land of the Free and the home of the well-armed.
Hey, it's in the Constitution and if you got 'em you might as well use 'em.
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