Two people were killed and three injured Saturday night (June 17) when a shooter opened fire in the nearby campgrounds of the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington. The EDM festival, Beyond Wonderland, was taking place inside the venue at the time of the attack. A suspect, among the three people reported injured, was apprehended, Variety reports.
Videos by American Songwriter
At a press conference late Saturday night, a spokesperson for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the two deaths. Identities of those killed and injured were not disclosed due to the ongoing investigation. While the representative was not at liberty to reveal certain aspects of the investigation, they shared a few details of the incident.
Reports of a shooter in the campgrounds—an area situated about a 20-to-30-minute walk from the entrance to the amphitheater—came in Saturday evening at about 8:25 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they “pursued (and) closed in on the suspect” as the suspect continued to “fire randomly into the crowd” before being apprehended.
The representative stated the shooter’s motives are not known at this time. Information was not given as to the nature of the shooter’s injuries. The conditions of the other two injured were also not revealed.
In the early hours of Sunday (June 18), Beyond Wonderland festival organizers tweeted “there is no current danger to festival-goers or the campgrounds” but wrote the campsite in question should be avoided.
“Please avoid the Gorge Gate H campgrounds area as it is closed due to an incident that has been handled by local authorities,” read the Tweet.
The two-day Beyond Wonderland festival was scheduled to host dozens of performers, and many of the projected 27,000 in attendance each day were expected to be staying at the nearby campgrounds. Variety reported that cars and RVs coming into the Gorge campgrounds are checked for explosives by dogs. Festival goers, however, aren’t checked by metal detectors until they leave the campgrounds to enter the music venue.
Organizers have since confirmed the cancellation of the festival’s second day. Artists set to appear at Beyond Wonderland on Sunday included Marshmello, Afrojack, Joyryde, Subtronics, Hyperfunk, Whipped Cream, and more.
Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images
