CLEVELAND — Nov. 25, the WinterLand tree lighting ceremony at Cleveland's Public Square.
New surveilance footage from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority shows both the leadup to and the aftermath of a shooting that followed the event. Video captured by the cameras on the South Roadway, West Roadway, and East 2nd Street show the festivities, but it's the South Roadway cam that appears to show a crowd scattering after gunshots were fired.
You can watch the footage in the player above.
"Radio to all 3rd District cars — we've got shots fired in Public Square," a dispatcher told Cleveland police. "One male shot at Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument."
More in the crowd of teens hear it and scatter further. You can see them running down East 2nd.
According to a police report, officers on the scene tried to break up a fight prior to the shooting. Dispatchers asked if backup is needed.
"Does the detail have resources to handle it, or are they requesting assistance?"
On the tape at South Roadway, authorities are seen trying to control the commotion, running towards the shots with guns drawn as more cruisers arrive with lights and sirens. Families were dragging their children to safety on West Roadway, but not everyone could get out of harm's way.
"Detail officers [are] down there are with a 60-year-old male," someone explained on the dispatch radio. "During the mayhem, he was pushed into a wall."
And instead of going home, groups of teens gather once again, even after the shots were fired. When the dust settled, a 13-year-old and 15-year-old who had been shot were both taken to MetroHealth Medical Center and are said to be in stable condition.
Following the incident, two 17-year-old boys who were in Public Square at the time were arrested on weapons charges, but one was later cleared of any involvement in the shooting. Officials are still gathering information.
3News has requested Cleveland police body camera footage from that night.