Authorities have confirmed the identity of the 15-year-old boy killed in a deadly shooting at Eisenhower Park as Quacere “Chase” Hagans, a freshman at Longwood High School.
Police say the shooting happened on a Wednesday night around 8:30 p.m. after officers were called to reports of gunfire during a large gathering at the park.
Investigators say an argument broke out among a group of people, and that argument quickly turned into gunfire.
Hagans was hit during the exchange of shots and rushed to a nearby hospital. He later died from his injuries.
Two other people, a 28-year-old and a 31-year-old, were also shot during the incident. Both remain in critical condition.
In a major update, law enforcement says Hagans was not only a victim in the shooting but also involved in firing a weapon during the confrontation. Authorities confirmed he had a firearm at the time.
Police also reported that several people have been taken into custody as part of the investigation. Multiple guns were recovered from the scene.
In a separate development, a 17-year-old has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Officials have not confirmed a direct link between that teen and the actual shooting.
Investigators are still working through the timeline of what exactly happened and what triggered the escalation at the park that night. They say the case is still active and more charges or arrests could follow.
Family members of Hagans have described him as a bright, funny teenager who brought energy into every room he entered. His death has left them grieving while questions continue to swirl around the incident.
Authorities continue to stress that the investigation is ongoing and that details may shift as forensic evidence is reviewed.
