HUBER HEIGHTS — Two juveniles were injured after an explosion in a trash can at the Huber Heights fireworks show Saturday night.
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During the Star-Spangled Heights event at 4707 Brandt Pike, Thomas Cloud Park, officers received a report of an explosion in a trash can near the food truck area, according to a press release from the Huber Heights Police Division.
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Upon arrival, officers discovered an “unknown type of explosive device” that had been detonated inside a trash can, according to the release.
Two juveniles were injured because of the explosion and were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.
The explosion is being investigated by the Huber Heights Police Division and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
During the investigation into the explosion, there were also reports of an unknown subject actively shooting a gun in the park.
Officers investigated and found no evidence of shots being fired or an active shooter, according to the release.
News Center 7 previously reported that Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore confirmed in a social media post that there was no shooter but that “someone yelled shooter and that spread like wildfire and caused panic.”
As the event continued, large groups of disorderly and uncooperative individuals were ordered to leave the park.
Shortly after the individuals were ordered to leave Thomas Cloud Park, officers responded to large groups of individuals engaged in fights in the Brandt Pike Place Shopping Center directly across the street.
A county-wide call for assistance, or a signal 99, was dropped due to the “nature of the incident and the number of individuals involved.”
Several arrests were made by officers throughout these incidents.
If you have any information on the trash can explosion, reach out to Lt. Brian Carr at (937)237-3578.
Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore posted a statement about the incident on social media Sunday afternoon.
“It is my intent and I will be as transparent as possible about the unfortunate events of last night. What I know this morning sheds no specific light on who was responsible for the explosive device in the trash can in the food truck area. We do know that’s what happened during the actual firework show. When I know more, I will share it here as I know many of you are vested in this community and what happens within its borders. There is nothing I or anyone else is trying to hide. That doesn’t help anyone.
Last night when I made the post that there was no active shooter or shots fired...that was true, and as far as the investigation has to this point, that remains true. If someone showed a gun or threatened with a gun....that has not been officially reported or found to be factual. I have seen the videos posted and have read what people have been saying, but reports of a gun or shots fired remains unconfirmed.
As far as the crowd last night. We closed off the grass areas for parking because of all the rain, so last night there were less physical cars inside the park than in the last 10 years. That didn’t and quite frankly wasn’t meant to stop people from coming, but there was much less access for people to easily enter the park.
The Star Spangled Heights is not a money making or for profit event for the city in anyway, and that is not the purpose for the city holding this event. It is truly a day we like providing for all the people to come together with friends and family and enjoy a day together celebrating the 4th of July. This event costs money to provide but city leaders have decided that cost is worth it to provide a day of fun for the community. Unfortunately last night didn’t turn out that way because of the complete and utter ignorance of a couple people who more than likely in any given environment have a complete lack of regard for societal norms, humanity and the safety of anyone they’re in contact with. The fighting and violence across the street from the park as people were leaving was absolutely disgraceful, and the fact the majority of this violence was from teens regardless of where they are from is so disheartening and discouraging, it’s hard to know where to even begin in explaining my frustrations.
There have been major events in Cloud Park for decades, and most of them have had significantly larger crowds than last nights firework show and all we had to worry about then was people getting drunk and trying to start a fight .....not place explosives.
With that said, I will be meeting with the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief and the City Manager to analyze what happened, what we could have done to prevent it, and how we could have dealt with the aftermath more appropriately. I expect to find that there are things we did great, and I fully expect to find things we could have done better and that triage will help us better prepare for future events such as this.
Everyone should know that I want those responsible to face the fullest extend of the law when it comes to criminal prosecution, and if the video’s we have do not provide clear enough images to know who is responsible, I will be asking my colleagues on city council to approve a financial reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the responsible person(s). I WANT THEM CAUGHT!!!
I’m angry for several reasons, and at the top of the list is that we now live in a society where these are the types of things we have to deal with while trying to enjoy a day that should have been filled with family, friends and celebration.
For those families who were affected and to the children who were injured, you have my deepest thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery."
— Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore
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