WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Police responded to calls of multiple fights and shots fired at a carnival Wednesday night, the West Des Moines Police Department said in a release.
Police said at about 9:12 p.m. Wednesday, a fight was reported at the carnival taking place in the Valley West Mall parking lot, which was "deescalated by an officer working at the event." Nearly one thousand people were attending the carnival.
More officers were sent to the scene after the initial fight. About 20 minutes later, another large fight broke out. Police said that is when the shots were fired by an unknown person.
Lindsey Bowlin and her son Mason were at the carnival, riding rides and enjoying a beautiful evening, when chaos broke out. She describes her son as being "trampled."
"My son was really confused and scared that he was knocked to the ground," Bowlin said.
Westbound traffic on I-235 was shut down temporarily as police from West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights investigated and searched for suspects using a K9 team. A gun was found during the search that police believed was used in the shooting.
Police said there were no shooting victims identified. However, one juvenile was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries he sustained in the second fight.
Another juvenile male in the second fight was identified and charged with assault and interference with official acts.
A day after the event, Bowlin is still shaken and feeling scared to take her son anywhere.
"If something happened to him, I don't know what I would do. It is really scary, because you never know. I can't even take him to a carnival without something happening."
According to the carnival's website, the event is scheduled to run through Sunday.
The incidents are still being investigated. Anyone with information is asked to call West Des Moines police at 515-222-3399. Tips can also be submitted online.