Atlanta park shooting: 2 killed, 4 injured by gunfire during ball game

Mass shooting during ball game at SW Atlanta park

One man is dead, four adults are injured, and a 6-year-old child is fighting to stay alive after an argument during a ball game at an Atlanta park ended in a mass shooting.

ATLANTA - An argument during a ball game at a southwest Atlanta park ended with a deadly mass shooting Sunday night.

Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department say the shooting happened shortly before 7 p.m. at the Dunbar Recreation Center at Rosa L. Burney Park, just south of Downtown Atlanta.

According to officials, a baseball or softball game was being played at the park at the time of the shooting.

"There was some type of baseball, softball game ongoing. There was an argument that ensued and then, next thing you know, there was an exchange of gunfire," APD Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said.

When the shooting was over, six people were injured, including a 6-year-old Serenity who is now fighting to stay alive.

The child was transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Egleston Hospital in critical condition.

6-year-old Serenity (Courtesy of the family)

Two victims, 31-year-old Rashad Rogers and 33-year-old April Sparks, have died from their injuries. The other three victims are described as being in stable condition.

Later Sunday night, so many family members showed up at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital that police had to clear them from the area.

Investigators say the park was crowded at the time of the shooting, and they hope some people come forward with information.

And police are asking the public again to put down the guns, especially during a heated dispute.

"As we've said countless times, we're just asking the citizens just to find a way to resolve conflict without weapons," Hampton said. "We're just asking people to, you know, step away. We're asking people just to let bygones be bygones."