Chapman Dam Beach Shooting Leaves Visitors Concerned (Sunday UPDATE)

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"We heard 'pop pop pop' and thought it was fireworks," said Sue Hohnk, a Warren County resident. But actually, it was gunfire at Chapman Dam Beach on Saturday afternoon.

An unknown shooter at the state park in Clarendon hit an elderly woman in the shoulder with what police said looked like a rifle bullet. The victim was then flown by helicopter to UPMC Hamot in Erie.

"We saw people running up towards the road, and then we saw the patrols here at the park," Hohnk said. "We just wanted to get out of here and they weren't letting us leave."

Pennsylvania State Police Warren barracks held the park on lock down from about 1:30-5pm. Witnesses say police were also searching vehicles for weapons.

With so many kids and families enjoying this beach, the incident leaves parents concerned.

"It was very scary because you just take it for granted that you're from a small town, that everything is going to be alright. But you have to learn that it's not always that way," said Ellen Peroski, a Sheffield resident who frequents the beach.

Though she's at Chapman Dan Beach on Sunday, she says she feels on edge.

"We came, but all I'm doing is sitting, looking around to see if there's somebody out there," Peroski said.

One family who declined to speak on camera told WICU/WSEE they felt unsafe at the campgrounds, and cut their vacation short to stay at a hotel.

"They did decide to stay with us instead of at the campgrounds due to the circumstances and the series of events. We're glad we were able to make them feel safe," said CJ Whitten, general manager of Warren's Holiday Inn.

State police are calling the incident a case of "reckless endangerment."

"I'm hoping it was just an isolated incident...I'm hoping," Hohnk said.

The case is still under investigation and the victim's name and condition were not released as of Sunday.
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