LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) — A man died after a shooting at Waterfront Park early Friday morning.
Louisville Metro Police responded to a shooting call near the kids’ water park just after 3 a.m. on Friday, March 20. Officers arrived and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds.
Police identified a scene near the Big Four Bridge.
Officers provided first aid until EMS arrived and transported the victim to UofL Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
In recent weeks, safety concerns have grown among people on both the Indiana and Louisville sides of Waterfront Park, particularly since the park operates from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Despite that, incidents continue to occur after dark.
Dispatch audio shows officers quickly established a perimeter after arriving on scene early Friday morning while searching for suspects.
“You guys set up a perimeter right here. We don’t know if the shooters are here. They said they heard shots, and then they saw him laying on the ground,” officers said over the radio.
Now, in the silver parking lot next to the kids’ area and splash pad, two parking spaces are reserved for LMPD.
Police told WAVE they routinely patrol the area, but the assigned officers may have been off duty at the time of the shooting. It remains unclear how close the nearest patrol unit was when the incident occurred.
Safety remains a key concern.
A few weeks earlier, a large fight involving mostly teenagers on the bridge unsettled residents on the Indiana side, prompting Jeffersonville police to increase patrols.
On the Louisville side, residents like Eliza Guesswine, who considers the bridge a safe place for early morning runs, say such incidents serve as a reminder to stay alert.
“This is kind of with anywhere, but I just like to only put one earbud in, you know, be aware of your surroundings,” Guesswine said. “Just always have an eye out, because you never know what could happen.”
LMPD said officers also received assistance from Indiana agencies, including temporarily shutting down the bridge while they investigated the scene.
A spokesperson confirmed that additional units have now been assigned to focus on the Waterfront Park area, especially as warmer weather brings more visitors.
No suspects have been identified. Police are asking anyone with information to call the anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD or submit tips through the online crime portal.
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