Shooting at Joe Dancer Park, Mac student hospitalized with non-life-threatening injury

Both entrances to Joe Dancer Park were barricaded Tuesday afternoon as McMinnville Police investigated a reported shooting inside the park.

[Updated 4/29 3 p.m.]

At about 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, law enforcement responded to a report of a fight and possible gunshots involving a group of people at Joe Dancer Park in McMinnville.

In a media release Tuesday evening, Mac PD stated that one individual was transported to Willamette Valley Medical Center for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The McMinnville Police Department, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police responded to the park and contacted individuals on scene who were involved or witnessed the confrontation.

McMinnville School District Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua sent a message to parents that the incident involved students and confirmed the person sent to the hospital was a student.

“Due to privacy laws, we cannot share any additional information about the student, the student’s condition or the incident itself,” Ferrua stated.

A video seen by the News-Register shows around 40 juveniles next to the skate park, many engaged in fights. A noise resembling a gunshot can be heard on the video.

Asked Wednesday if the incident was gang-related, McMinnville Police Chief Cord Wood responded that “this wouldn’t be an appropriate time to comment on what factors might have played a role until the investigation is complete.”

He said more information will be released once the investigation is complete.

“At the moment I don’t have a timeline for when we will complete things, but MPD staff have been actively working on this case since the initial call yesterday,” Wood said.

An active investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released when viable, Mac PD announced in a press release.

The park was closed and both entrances blocked off at the Three Mile Lane and Northeast Marsh Lane.

McMinnville Parks & Recreation posted to its Facebook page about 4 p.m. that all games and practices scheduled for Tuesday evening had been canceled.

MPD is asking for anyone who witnessed the incident or has information related to the case to contact YCOM at 503- 434-6500.

“Community assistance is often critical in advancing investigations, and we appreciate the public’s cooperation and assistance,” MPD stated.