The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a large fight that escalated into gunfire in a neighborhood near North Forney High School. The incident, which occurred yesterday, left neighbors shaken and demanding answers. NBC 5’s Vince Sims shares reactions from concerned residents and reveals new video capturing the chaotic scene.
A fight near North Forney High School escalated Thursday afternoon, leading to a struggle in which an officer's weapon discharged, sending fragments flying and injuring five people, according to the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office.
Security camera video showed some of the crowd of young people that moved through the Windmill Farms neighborhood of Forney Thursday evening.
“It was kids just everywhere, police cars from Forney and from Kaufman, just everywhere,” neighbor Mariyah Gipson said.
The incident began around 4:27 p.m. at Falcon Way and Jersey Street. Sheriff’s deputies, Forney ISD police and multiple other agencies responded to a large fight in progress.
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During efforts to de-escalate the situation, an officer’s weapon discharged, striking the street. Shrapnel from the impact injured a Kaufman County deputy, a Forney ISD officer, and three juveniles, according to the sheriff’s office.
“I guess, when a gun discharged, they, all the kids ran off this way,” Gispon said describing the scene. “She stood right here in the driveway, and she kept pulling her pants leg up, looking at her leg and limping.”
Officials say the Forney ISD officer was treated at the scene, while the deputy and the three juveniles were taken to area hospitals. All sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
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Gipson is hoping parents will take this time to talk with their children before they return after the holiday break.
“Sit down with your kids and express to them how much they mean to you and how much their safety means to you,” Gipson said. “You know what I mean? Because a kid could have got killed yesterday, all because of a fight.”
Forney police said on Facebook they were assisting the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and other agencies "with a scene in Windmill Farms" and expected to remain in the area for several hours. Residents were asked to avoid the area while the scene was being processed.
Jamaal Martin said he woke to the aftermath of the incident outside of his home on Rockpile Drive around 4:45 p.m.
"I woke up to an immense amount of sirens. After I woke up, I came outside to a sea of blue, a bunch of kids running around, a bunch of officers running around, and it wasn’t necessarily traumatic but it was something that was eye-opening. After that, it just became more of a sea of blue and a bunch of kids doing things that they shouldn’t have been doing," said Martin.
Officers handcuffed one teenager and placed her in a squad car.
Officials didn't provide any information about possible charges.
Forney ISD said the incident did not involve a school and occurred after hours off school property. Thursday was the final day of the semester before winter break for Forney ISD students.
The Texas Rangers are now leading the investigation and said they'll provide further updates as new information becomes available.
