An 18-year-old woman was killed in a shooting incident Sunday night in North Highland Park.City Councilman Ronald “Skip” Kelly (Ward 7) told the Black Chronicle yesterday he would soon be meeting with city officials to discuss what can be done about the park, the center of high incidences of criminal activity and crimes, including homicides.
Shonda Euniece Hamilton, police said, was in the park (at NW 82nd Street and N. Harvey Avenue) with some of her friends when several vehicles pulled up and numerous people got out of the cars.
One of them was a woman armed with a pistol, MSgt. Gary Knight, an Oklahoma City Police Department spokesman, said, and she approached Miss Hamilton and opened fire, killing her.
Miss Hamilton died of a gunshot wound to the head, police said.
The suspect then fled the scene, the police department spokesman said.
The shooting occurred at about 7:45 p.m.
The murder victim was transported to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
The police department spokesman said an argument led to the shooting.
Miss Hamilton was at the park with friends when a second group of women approached, MSgt. Knight said.
The women argued, he continued, and the second group left the park, but that group later returned, and some of them exited their two cars.
That is when the assailant shot Miss Hamilton, the police spokesman pointed out.
The park is a long-existent problem, residents of the area said.
They said that gunshots can be heard in or near North Highland Park at least every other day, and others noted that the park is a gathering place for hordes. especially on weekends.
Residents said those gatherings frequently lead to violence, and one other area resident said the violence involves dueling gangs trading one killing for another.
It was said that police have recently been called to the park at least a dozen times on complaints ranging from auto theft to drug-trafficking.
City Councilman Kelly said he would meet next week with the police chief and the city’s parks director to discuss whether North Highland Park should be closed.
The city councilman cited other criminal incidents that have occurred at the park.
“We thought at one time that gang activity in the area had abated somewhat,” he said yesterday, “but, apparently, that is not the case.”
MSgt. Knight said they have not identified the suspect, and said persons who call 235-7300 with information regarding the homicide can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
