'Planned fight' leads to mass shooting at park: 2 killed, several wounded, NC police say

Mark Price, The Charlotte Observer on Apr 20, 2026

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “Several people” were shot Monday morning at a city-owned park in Winston-Salem and at least two have died, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of investigation report

It happened just before 10 a.m. in Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, and some of the people involved are juveniles, investigators say.

Winston-Salem police officers responded to the park on Sally Kirk Road after learning of a fight in progress.

“The incident began at approximately 9:52 a.m. as a planned fight involving two young individuals,” police said in a social media post.

“When the individuals met at the park, the situation escalated significantly, leading to multiple people exchanging gunfire. There are multiple victims, but the exact number has not yet been confirmed.”

Several individuals — “both victims and suspects” — have been identified and located, police said in an update.

“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” Winston-Salem police reported shortly after noon Monday. “The situation is still developing.”

Maps show Leinback Park is just north of Jefferson Middle School, and includes a playground, trails, tennis courts and a picnic shelter. The school has about 770 students in grades six through eight.

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