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Shooting at ZombiCon in Florida kills one and injures four Shooting at ZombiCon in Florida kills one and injures four
(about 2 hours later)
Police say a shooting at the ZombiCon gathering in Florida killed one person and injured four others. Police said a shooting at the annual ZombiCon gathering in Florida left one person dead and five more injured, causing a chaotic scene that sent throngs of revelers dressed as zombies running through the streets.
Lt Victor Medico of the Fort Myers police department said the shootings began at 11.45 pm Saturday, the News-Press reported. He said police were searching for a suspect, and the four people hurt had injuries that were not life-threatening. The shooting happened around 11.45pm on Saturday, just 15 minutes before the event officially ended. However, large crowds were still in the streets and authorities quickly cleared out nearby bars and set up crime scene tape, while others patrolled the area with rifles searching for a suspect.
No details were immediately available about the suspect or victims. Police did not immediately return a phone call. Fort Myers police lieutenant Victor Medico said Expavious Tyrell Taylor, a 20-year-old who played football at a local junior college, died at the scene. No other details about his death were released.
Four others were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and one additional victim refused medical attention, authorities said. Authorities said the suspect was still at large and did not release any information about a possible motive.
“There were a lot of witnesses down here, there were a lot of people taking pictures, videos with their cellphone,” Medico told the News-Press. “Anything that could help with this investigation would be greatly appreciated.”
Police did not immediately return email and phone call messages on Sunday seeking additional details.
The annual festival had been expected to draw more than 20,000 fans dressed as zombies, the newspaper said. Medico said the scene was described as “shoulder to shoulder”.The annual festival had been expected to draw more than 20,000 fans dressed as zombies, the newspaper said. Medico said the scene was described as “shoulder to shoulder”.
A statement on the ZombiCon Facebook page said organizers were saddened by the news and the group takes the safety of its patrons very seriously. A statement on the ZombiCon Facebook page said organisers were saddened by the news and the group took the safety of its patrons very seriously.
ZombiCon has been a popular event for nearly a decade, but some local residents and business owners have not welcomed the crowd of costumed revelers in the street dressed as limping, bloated, degrading corpses.
One restaurant posted signs this year, warning visitors that ZombiCon participants were not welcome. “Quarantined. No Zombies allowed,” the signs read.
Several members from a religious group also picketed the event.