GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Deputies are searching for multiple suspects who shot two people outside a graduation ceremony that just wrapped up at East Kentwood High School.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office released photos of the suspect vehicle just before noon on Friday.
FOX 17 also talked with a teacher who was there at the time who confirmed shots were fired.
According to Kent County Sheriff Michele LaJoye-Young, people in two white sedans were involved in a gun exchange between each other. Since then, police have been investigating those who were in the cars.
Sheriff LaJoye-Young says two people got shot during the exchange.
She says one is a 40-year-old woman from Grand Rapids who was shot in the abdomen and wrist. The other is a 16-year-old boy from Texas who was shot in the wrist. "My suspicion is that they are just completely bystanders that happened to be here at the time of this gun exchange," said LaJoye-Young.
Sheriff LaJoye-Young says both victims were taken to the hospital and as of 9:45 p.m. Thursday, both of them were in stable condition.
At least two deputies were at University of Michigan Health West in Wyoming Thursday night.
Family members showed up at the hospital and told FOX 17 that their family member was expected to survive.
"I'm certainly concerned about the surge in violence and, again, I'll go back to communities, keeping communities safe. We have to work together to bring these cases to resolution. We have to know that it's up to each person in this community to keep each other safe," said Sheriff LaJoye-Young.
BREAKING | Here’s a look at East Kentwood High School where police are investigating a shooting, which injured one person.
— Marisa Oberle (@marisa_oberleTV) May 20, 2022
Crime tape blocked off much of the parking lot by the stadium, but police kicked us, and other media, off campus within minutes. @FOX17 pic.twitter.com/GGHxl8pWyK
By Thursday night, most of the high school's parking lot near the stadium had been taped off.
Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston released a statement saying the shooting happened after the Crossroads Alternative High School graduation ceremony.
Sheriff LaJoye-Young added, "A celebration like this is something that brings family together, makes us feel closer as a community with pride of our young people and what they're accomplishing."
"This is very difficult to have happen in this community at this moment of celebration."
The sheriff says her office knows of at least two shooters and, as of 10 p.m. Thursday, those suspects are still on the loose.
"I want the community to be alert to these potential suspects tonight. We have no reason to believe they're coming back into the area or that they have a specific target back in this area.
"This scene is secure now, but of course, until we bring this case to resolution, I can't be certain on what their intent is," said Sheriff LaJoye-Young.
The sheriff says investigators are reviewing school security video that captured at least a portion of the incident.
While the shooting took place in the parking lot, a middle school choir concert was being held in a nearby auditorium.
A high school senior said her sister was in the auditorium at the time. “She said a lot of people were running in and screaming. She started freaking out. She’s only in 6th grade. I was afraid for my sister.”
If you have any information about the Thursday evening's shootings, contact the Kent County Sheriff's Office.
You can also submit tips anonymously to Silent Observer, online or by phone, along with texting tips to "OK2SAY."
