TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Recently released 911 calls illustrate the panic that erupted after a gunman opened fire at a Titusville park during a peace rally event, according to police.
More than 100 people, including many children, attended the "Peace for the City" rally at Isaac Campbell Park Saturday afternoon meant to promote nonviolence in Titusville and distribute backpacks for backpacks to children who are preparing to go back to school.
Officials from the Titusville Police Department said one of the attendees was involved in a fight with another man over a basketball game, then returned a few minutes later with a gun and opened fire.
"They're shooting. They're shooting, the kids are running, they're shooting," one woman at the park told a 911 operator.
She said she didn't see who fired the shots.
"I don't know, I'm running. Please send help, please," the woman begged.
Another witness said it looked like a man was dead.
"He's dead, somebody shot that man," a woman said in a frantic 911 call.
Authorities said a bystander who has a concealed weapons permit shot the gunman. The initial shooter was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. His name has not been released.
Titusville Police Sgt. Bill Amos called the bystander a "hero," saying he saved lives by confronting the gunman.
The bystander has been cooperating with the investigation and will not face charges. The condition of the man accused of opening fire at the rally is unknown.
Brenda Mayo is the aunt of murder victim Tony Butler. The Peace Rally was organized in his memory.
Mayo said she knows the bystander and that he does not consider himself a hero.
"Hero is a big word but we do thank God that he was there," she said.
Mayo and other members of Butler's family placed a cross and candles where the 38-year-old's body was found last month in a burned car in Mims.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday there are no updates to the murder investigation. No arrests have been made.
"It's hard but we do understand, some cases are solved quicker than others," Mayo said.
The Butler family said they plan to hold another Peace in the City rally at Isaac Campbell Park and this time, police will be on hand.