One person was taken into custody after a shooting was reported during the Lawton Fort Sill Freedom Festival, according to the Lawton Police Department (LPD), as per reports. Officers had received multiple calls about fireworks and what sounded like gunfire at the event.
Police Respond Quickly, No Injuries Reported
The police acted fast and reached Elmer Thomas Park on June 28, 2025, where the festival was taking place. Despite the alarming reports, the event continued without interruption, and authorities confirmed that no one was injured.
In a statement on Facebook, the Lawton Police Department said, “On June 28, 2025, Lawton Police quickly responded to reports of fireworks and possible gunfire at the Freedom Festival in Elmer Thomas Park. One person was taken into custody, and the event continued safely with no injuries reported.”
Videos and Reactions Surface on Facebook
Soon after the incident, Facebook users shared posts and videos showing the chaos. A user uploaded a clip on the Lawton Grapevine page, which showed crowds running. The post was simply captioned, “Shooting at the park.”
Another frustrated user commented, “This is just so ridiculous. You go to an event to have fun and to be with the community and then people just start shooting. It’s crazy.”
Terrified Witness Shares Harrowing Experience
One witness shared a deeply emotional message on Facebook, describing the fear and panic, “Seriously!! You can’t even watch fireworks with your babies anymore without some stupid a* pos shooting a gun!! We seen everyone running and I stopped accessed pushed my 7 yr old and 8 yr old under a pickup truck and my 8 month old infant and husband by a truck when I didn’t hear another shot they ran… i couldnt find my neice for second, scariest momentt of my life….people man my children could have been hurt. I hate this world.”*
Despite Fear, Event Continues
Even with the panic caused by the shooting, the police contained the situation, and the festival resumed without further incident. The identity of the person taken into custody has not yet been released, and the investigation is ongoing.
