POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A peaceful evening intended to celebrate community and unity through sports turned into a scene of panic and terror on Sunday evening, when gunshots rang out during a basketball game at Hulme Park. The game, organized by local community leader Skip Lee, had drawn hundreds of spectators to the park located at the intersection of Church Street (eastbound arterial) and Market Street.
Just as the energy and excitement of the event peaked, multiple gunshots shattered the atmosphere, sending attendees — including families, children, and local residents — scrambling for safety. According to eyewitness reports and preliminary information from law enforcement, at least one individual was struck by gunfire. The extent of the victim’s injuries remains unknown at this time.
First responders rushed to the scene, where shell casings were found scattered across the roadway, sidewalks, and grassy areas of the park. The shooting sparked a wave of fear and confusion as the large crowd fled in all directions, with many abandoning personal belongings in the scramble to get to safety. Witnesses described a scene of pure chaos, with screams echoing through the air as people ducked for cover or fled down side streets.
Skip Lee, a well-respected figure in Poughkeepsie known for his dedication to youth engagement and community improvement, had organized the event to bring people together and promote positivity through sport. The tournament was meant to provide a safe and uplifting environment, especially for young people during the summer months. Tragically, that vision was upended in an instant by senseless violence.
Law enforcement responded swiftly, closing off the area for investigation and speaking with multiple witnesses. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the neighborhood for leads. No arrests have been made as of this writing, and the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
City officials, community members, and local advocacy groups have already begun voicing their heartbreak and frustration over the violence. Many took to social media to express their disbelief and to call for stronger efforts to address gun violence, especially at public events meant to foster community and connection.
“This is devastating,” one attendee posted on Facebook. “This event was supposed to be about hope and bringing people together. Skip Lee has done so much for this city, and to see something like this happen at one of his events is just heartbreaking.”
Local leaders are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist police with the ongoing investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and authorities stressed the importance of community cooperation in preventing future tragedies.
Meanwhile, Skip Lee and other organizers remain shaken but determined. In a brief statement following the shooting, Lee called for calm and unity. “This was supposed to be about peace,” he said. “We can’t let fear win. We must continue to fight for our neighborhoods, for our youth, and for safe spaces where we can come together without fear.”
As Poughkeepsie grapples with the trauma of this incident, conversations around gun violence, public safety, and community resilience are expected to intensify. For now, the community mourns a moment of hope that was stolen — and stands in solidarity with the victims and all those affected.
If you have any information regarding the incident at Hulme Park, please contact the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department. All tips can be kept confidential.
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