Chaos erupts at Diamond Lakes Park: Water gun fight turns terrifying

Date: April 02, 2024

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office rushed to Diamond Lakes Park on Monday afternoon following reports of gunfire during what was initially a harmless water gun fight organized for senior skip day.

What began as innocent fun quickly spiraled into a terrifying ordeal for students and parents alike. At precisely 2:21 p.m. Monday, authorities were alerted to shots fired within the park premises.

Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered one individual had sustained at least one gunshot wound. The injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, and the victim was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

April Covington, a concerned parent who opted to remain at the park while her child participated in the water gun fight, recounted the harrowing turn of events on Facebook.


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Covington’s post detailed her decision to stay by the pond as her child joined the festivities. However, the jovial atmosphere was shattered when rumors of a real firearm circulated among the participants. According to Covington’s account, panic ensued as students attempted to flee the scene in fear for their safety.

Eyewitness reports corroborate Covington’s narrative, with accounts of students frantically seeking refuge as the sound of gunfire echoed through the park. Amidst the chaos, one individual was left wounded, underscoring the severity of the situation.

In the aftermath, Diamond Lakes Park officials announced a temporary park closure.

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The Author

Greg Rickabaugh is an award-winning crime reporter in the Augusta-Aiken area with experience writing for The Augusta Chronicle and serving as publisher of The Jail Report. He also owns AugustaCrime.com. Rickabaugh is a 1994 graduate of the University of South Carolina and has appeared on several crime documentaries on the Investigation Discovery channel. He is married with two daughters.

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