A teenager who saw Saturday’s shooting at the John Cain Aquatic Center says a normal summer day at the pool quickly turned into chaos when gunfire erupted, leaving three juveniles injured.
Jackson Fox was at the aquatic center with his best friend when he said he noticed something that felt out of place.
“Two people walked in with their hoods on, hoodies, and I was like, OK, it’s hot. I was a little eerie,” Fox said.
Moments later, Fox said he saw one of the individuals pull out a gun and start shooting.
“I look over and I just see somebody pull the gun, and I just see bang, bang, bang, and I turned around and ran this way,” Fox said. “I see people jumping the fences and stuff, but I had came back inside and I just saw a bunch of little kids crying and a whole bunch of families just scared.”
Fox said he heard five or six gunshots as people rushed to get away. One of the bullets struck his best friend.
“It hurt me. I got home, I didn’t even know he got shot until I made it home,” Fox said. “I was here with him. I mean, he was my ride home. I got the call from my momma, and it just hurt me, somebody I love I know got hurt.”
According to Fox, his friend underwent surgery Saturday night and is expected to recover.
“Oh, he’s doing good. He’s in the hospital. He just got out of surgery last night. He’s doing well,” Fox said.
Stuttgart police said a juvenile suspect is in custody in connection with the shooting. Three other juveniles were injured.
The city has closed the John Cain Aquatic Center until further notice as the investigation continues.
For Fox, the violence was especially difficult to process because the aquatic center has long been a summer gathering place for him and his friends.
“I come here all the time. I came here the last few years,” Fox said. “It was just crazy. I never would have thought that happened here.”
Police are asking anyone who was at the pool Saturday or who may have information relevant to the investigation to contact the Stuttgart Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the conditions of the other two victims.