Police Department

False report of a shooting causes temporary delay at Riverfront Park during 4th of July celebration

Officer Daniel Strassenberg Public Information Office

Monday, July 7, 2025 at 9:44 a.m.

On July 4^th, just after 10pm in Riverfront Park, some type of altercation occurred near the clocktower.  Information was relayed that a possible gun was involved, but no shots were fired.  Officers working the park, quickly contacted a male reported to be involved in this altercation.  The male was not armed, and officers were unable to establish probable cause for a crime as no victim came forward.  As officers were investigating this initial altercation, they observed people running from the park.  For reasons unknown, information was passed through the crowd of a possible active shooter in the area.

SPD had officers staged throughout the park to include the area around the clocktower.  Nothing was observed to verify any type of shooting took place.  Adding to the confusion, an announcement was made over the speaker system for people to basically take cover.  This created a chaotic situation as people attending the celebration began running in all directions.  Officers flooded the park, but again nothing was found.

After verifying there was no threat of any kind to public safety, a reverse 911 text was sent out to the area around the park to let everyone know there was no danger.  People eventually returned to the park and the celebration continued without further incident.     

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