Police: Shots ‘indiscriminately’ fired at group in Dayton; No injuries reported

A group of people in a vehicle reportedly open fired at another group at two locations on Philadelphia Drive in Dayton on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. While the shooting was targeted, there were bystanders nearby, Dayton police said. JIM NOELKER / STAFF

A group of people in a vehicle reportedly open fired at another group at two locations on Philadelphia Drive in Dayton on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. While the shooting was targeted, there were bystanders nearby, Dayton police said. JIM NOELKER / STAFF

Four people were taken into custody after one group “indiscriminately” opened fire at another group Wednesday afternoon in Dayton.

Shots were fired around 1:50 p.m. at people near Philadelphia Drive and North James H. McGee Boulevard, according to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center.

“While Five Rivers MetroParks was on scene there was a vehicle that was indiscriminately firing at another group of individuals in broad daylight while other people were around,” said Dayton police Sgt. Creigee S. Coleman.

The gunfire happened at two locations — Philadelphia Drive and West Riverview Avenue and Philadelphia Drive and North James H. McGee Boulevard.

No injuries were reported but a medic was called for one of the suspects who was having trouble breathing, Coleman said.

Three juveniles and an adult were reportedly taken in for questioning.

“The Five Rivers MetroPark and (Dayton) police officers arrived on scene when the gunfire was happening and they used their tactics and training and did not return fire,” Coleman said.

Witnesses indicated the shooting stemmed from an argument earlier in the day between the two groups, he said.

Coleman urged the public to be aware of their surroundings while in public.

“Again this was an intersection in broad daylight and they decided to indiscriminately fire a high-powered weapon at another group of individuals without worrying about the public,” he said.

A signal 99, or call for officer assistance, also was made following the gunfire, dispatch said.

Five Rivers MetroParks is handling the investigation.

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