Capt. Cheryl Clapprood said police have called off their search of the surrounding woods for what could be one or more suspects.
This updates a story posted at 2:09 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD - Springfield police are hoping that witnesses and victims of a late night beach party gone bad will help lead them to the gunman, or gunmen, responsible for firing off almost 20 rounds at a group of young people gathered at a beach on Lake Lorraine, injuring three.
Capt. Cheryl Clapprood said police have called off their search of the surrounding woods for what could be one or more suspects.
Police received calls for shots fired in the area behind the Knights of Columbus building off 2071 Page Blvd. around 12:40 a.m.; An officer responding to the scene was flagged down by a naked man - likely someone skinny dipping - who said people had been shot on the beach.
The Knights of Columbus building is located at the end of a dirt road that leads into the Lake Lorraine Conservation Area.
Clapprood said a group of about 15 to 20 young people from the city's North End had gathered on the beach to swim, when, according to witnesses, someone came out of the woods and opened fire.
Details about the shooter are scant. The only description police have is that the individual was said to be wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Almost 20 shell casings, including .40 caliber and 9mm, were recovered by police, Clapprood said. The gun had a laser sight, according to witnesses.
The victims include a 17-year-old female who suffered a severe leg injury and is in the operating room at Baystate Medical Center, Clapprood said; a 23-year-old male shot three times in the knee, hip and shoulder; and a 22-year-old male who suffered a leg wound and was found nearby on Blanding Street after trying to escape the scene.
Their conditions are unknown at this time.
Clapprood said the witnesses' stories "are all over the place."
The area is supposed to be off limits to swimming.
Video from abc 40/Fox 6