WALLINGFORD — Police say two people are dead after a shooting outside Oakdale Theatre late Friday night following a concert. Two other people were shot and are being treated at area hospitals.
About 11:15 p.m., police responded to the Oakdale, 95 S. Turnpike Road, for reports of shots fired. Two people were killed, Lt. Cheryl Bradley said. Two others were also shot, but were expected to survive, she said. One person was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, while another was taken to Hartford Hospital. The names and ages of the four victims have not been released.
No one is in custody, Bradley said shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday, though multiple agencies, including the state police major crime squad, are investigating. Descriptions of suspects or vehicles weren’t immediately available.
Asked to describe the scene when police arrived, Bradley said, “it was chaotic, as you can imagine.” Police provided no update when contacted this morning.
Rapper Meek Mill was scheduled to perform in the dome at Oakdale Theatre Friday night, according to the Oakdale’s website. Doors opened at 7 p.m. and the show was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Bradley said the show had just ended and the Oakdale was closing when the shooting occurred. A security guard told the Record-Journal that vehicles had already begun lining up to exit the parking lot and Meek Mill just got into his vehicle when he heard gunshots.
Jim Bozzi, Connecticut marketing vice president for Live Nation, said this morning there are no plans to postpone or cancel any upcoming shows at Oakdale Theater, but otherwise deferred comment to Wallingford police. Oakdale Theater’s next show is not scheduled until Jan. 18, according to the venue’s website.
Wallingford police called in all available officers, locked down the Oakdale and shut down nearby roads during the initial response. Cheshire, Meriden and North Haven police were also called in as backup as officers searched the area. The entrance to nearby Route 15 was closed. Bradley said police are investigating at least one hit-and-run crash following the shooting in which a vehicle fled after striking another vehicle outside the venue.
Video taken outside the concert venue captures at least one shot being fired. A voice can be heard saying “look there’s Meek” as the camera points toward the front of the venue when a shot can be heard. A gasp erupts from the crowd and people begin running. A security guard approaches the person capturing the video and advises the individual to stay down before they flee the area.
Oakdale Theatre is a popular concert venue in New Haven County that attracts a variety of artists and touring shows. There have been no reports of gun violence at the venue in recent memory, according to Record-Journal archives.
Check back for more information as it becomes available.
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