Police in Texarkana, Texas are investigating a shooting that happened at a Halloween party inside Octavia’s Event Center that left one dead and nine others wounded.
Officers responded to several reports of shots fired at the party venue in the 2300 block of Texas Blvd. at 11:56 on Saturday night. When they got there, they encountered a large number of people running from the building and several inside suffering from gunshot wounds. The injured were transported to Wadley Regional Medical Center and Christus St. Michael Hospital by ambulance, police unit, and private vehicle. One 20-year-old man died a short time later at the hospital.
Police say the remaining nine victims’ injuries do not appear to life threatening.
Detectives are investigating and interviewing victims and witnesses. It is estimated that there were at least a couple hundred people in the venue when the shootings occurred.
The suspected shooter has been identified. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Keuntae McElroy, 21, of Texarkana, AR, early this morning. They have been searching for him since, contacting several family members and friends. McElroy eventually turned himself in late this morning and was arrested. He was booked into the Bi-State Jail for one count of felony Aggravated Assault. Additional charges are expected to be filed on Monday.
While the motive is still unknown, police believe that it may been the result of some type of disturbance among some the partygoers.
The identity of the deceased victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
