Teenager charged with murder after mass shooting at Kentucky park

August 17, 2026 • Us • Guardian World • 1 min read

Summary

An 18-year-old man was charged with murder and assault after a mass shooting at a park in Lexington, Kentucky, that killed one teenager and injured four others. The shooting happened during a community event, and it was one of several mass shootings across the U.S. that weekend.

Key Facts

The shooting occurred at Charles Young Park in Lexington, Kentucky, around 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Five people were shot, including two adults, a 14-year-old, and a 4-year-old.
A 16-year-old named Di’Zhon Robertson died at a hospital.
The suspect, Jametrius Griffin, was charged with murder, multiple counts of assault, and tampering with evidence.
The shooting took place during the East End Day community celebration.
Counselors were sent to local schools to help students cope after the event.
That weekend saw nine mass shootings in the U.S., with four or more victims shot in each incident.
As of Monday, the U.S. had 305 mass shootings in 2026, with over 8,000 lives lost to gun violence, including nearly 700 children.
Additional killings and shootings happened in Hartford, Connecticut, and Houston, Texas, over the weekend at large gatherings.