Five teenagers were injured after gunfire rang out at a large gathering of high school students taking part in a senior skip day in Maryland, police said.

Officers from several law enforcement agencies were responding to help control a crowd of 500 to 600 students who had gathered in Schrom Hills Park in Greenbelt Friday afternoon when they heard multiple shots ring out, according to Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers.

Five male victims ranging between the ages of 16 and 18 were located with gunshot wounds, Bowers said. All five victims were transported to local hospitals. One is in critical condition and the other four are stable, Bowers said.

A suspect in the shooting is believed to have fled the park when the crowd dispersed following the gunfire and has not been located at this time, Bowers said. Police believe there was only one shooter, he said.

The police chief called the shooting a “horrible, tragic, senseless act.”

“These were kids on senior skip day who were looking to have a good time in a local park, and to have something like this occur is just maddening,” Bowers said.

The students had initially gathered in Bowie, Maryland, for senior skip day and were asked to disperse by local law enforcement, a Greenbelt Police Department spokesperson told ABC News. Many of those students then moved to Schrom Hills Park, where they participated in a large water gun fight prior to the shooting, police said.

Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan said the gathering was “informally organized” on social media.

“We don’t condone skipping school, but it’s the senior skip day,” Bowers said. “It’s just a tragedy.”

Students from multiple high schools in the area are believed to have been at the park, the chief said.

A motive remains unclear.

The shooting remains under investigation. Bowers urged anyone with footage from the incident to reach out to police. Investigators will also be looking over body-worn camera footage, he said.

“We know that the person involved is definitely on a camera somewhere,” Bowers said.

BALTIMORE — Stricter boating laws are coming to Maryland as Nick’s Law waits for the governor’s final signature.

Marie Barton is emotional and shocked that Nick’s Law passed both chambers unanimously. Now it needs the signature from Governor Wes Moore.

Barton said it would mean a lot to her if the governor signs it because it would be right before the two-year anniversary of her son’s death.

Nick’s Law will make boating regulations stricter by making two significant changes.

If someone is found under the influence of a boat and it results in a death, this new law would prohibit the person from operating a boat for five years. If there was no death, then two years.

It would also establish a database that would allow the Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resource Police Officers to track which boaters are prohibited from operating a boat.

“I just hope and I pray that this will help somebody or let people think twice before they get out on that water,” Barton said. “You know, you are the captain of that vessel. Be responsible. That’s all I need. That’s all I really want. And I know that’s what Nick would want.”

Barton pushed for this law in her son’s name after losing him in a boating crash on the West River back in June 2022.

21-year-old Shayne Smith crashed the boat into a channel piling on the West River which caused Nick’s death. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail for negligent manslaughter because of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 

Barton said Smith was released after serving 9 months in jail and is suspended for operating a boat for five years.

While Nick’s Law cannot change Smith’s fate, Barton hopes it will make people rethink their decisions before entering the water.

“People are going to think twice before getting in that boat,” Barton said. “Thinking it’s not going to be, it’s not going to be. Just like when they drive on a suspended license. Guess what? Now, we have a way to track you. DNR has a way. And there will be fines. And there will be jail time.”

Barton said she plans to announce it at a June fundraising golf tournament in her son’s name.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska baseball team has lost five of its last six games. Head coach Will Bolt points out that the Huskers have led in each of the setbacks, and he’s choosing to remain positive.

“We just need to get that winning feeling back again,” Bolt said.

The Huskers’ slump started immediately after entering the national rankings. Nebraska will try to regroup this weekend with a home series against Maryland. The Terrapins are the reigning Big Ten champs and have a 24-14 record this season. The Huskers, meanwhile, are 23-11 and are in second place in the conference standings, despite their recent struggles.

“(The game) is trying to send us a message right now,” sophomore pitcher Mason McConnaughey said. “Its really just trying to see how we respond.”

Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Hawks Field.

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