Lexington Mass Shooting: 16-year old killed, four injured, reward offered for information
By Karyn Czar
August 16, 2026 at 7:09 AM EDT
A community event in Lexington's East End turned deadly Saturday night after gunfire erupted at Charles Young Park.
UPDATED: SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 11:15 p.m.
An 18-year-old has been arrested in connection with a shooting at Lexington’s Charles Young Park that left a 16-year-old dead and several others injured.
Lexington police say Jametrius M. Griffin was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting and death of Di’Zhon Robertson during the Eastend Days event Saturday.
Griffin is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
He is charged with murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and tampering with physical evidence.
UPDATED: SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 5:30 p.m.
No arrests have been made after a shooting at a Lexington park Saturday night left 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson dead and four others wounded, including a 4-year-old and a 14-year-old, police said Sunday.
The shooting happened shortly before 7 p.m. during an East End Day community event. Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said several people at the event provided investigators with “very actionable information." As of the filing of this report, no suspect has been named.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the direct identification or arrest of those responsible.
Foundation founder and national director Daniel Chapin said. “If you know something, please do the right thing and tell law enforcement.”
The four other victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Mayor Linda Gorton said during a Sunday press briefing that the community was coming together to support those affected and a prayer service following the briefing at the park. Gorton said support services will be available Monday at the Dunbar Community Center.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said they are working every lead to find the suspect or suspects and that this shooting "does not define the East End.” Weathers said, ”We are going to do our best to hold those responsible accountable.”
Devine Carama with ONE Lexington, the city's organization working to reduce gun violence among Lexington's youth, called the shooting “Unacceptable. I was present in the park; I’ve seen my brothers helping those who were shot. It’s not about politics; this is about humanity, and it’s about our neighbors.”
Carama said ONE Lexington crisis response teams will be at several FCPS schools Monday morning, including William Wells Brown Elementary, Academics of Bryan Station High School, Henry Clay High School and Lexington Middle School.
Devine Carama with ONE Lexington joined Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton (L) and Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers (R) for a press conference Sunday afternoon to update the community on Saturday's mass shooting. (2076x1557, AR: 1.3333333333333333)
UPDATED: SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 2:15 p.m.:
The Fayette County Coroner's office has confirmed that a teenager died from a gunshot wound sustained in Saturday night's mass shooting at Charles Young Park.
16-year old Di'Zhon Robertson was pronounced dead in the Emergency Room at UK Hospital at 7:10 p.m. Saturday night, minutes following the shooting.
A statement from Fayette County Public Schools said Robertson was a student at Success Academy and was previously enrolled in Bryan Station High School.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers surveyed the crime scene late Saturday. (976x651, AR: 1.4992319508448542)
SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 6:30 a.m.:
One dead, four injured in shooting at Lexington community event:
It was supposed to be a community celebration, but shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday evening, Lexington Police say gunfire broke out at Charles Young Park, leaving one person dead and four injured, including two children.
One person was pronounced dead at UK Hospital shortly after the shooting. Four others were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. Among those hurt are a four-year-old child, a 14-year-old, and two adults.
Devine Carama with ONE Lexington posted on social media that he was inches away from the shooter. He said in part:
“My heart is broken. Opening fire into a crowd at a peaceful event, in broad daylight, with women and children present is unacceptable. But even in this tragic moment, we saw just how amazing and loving the people of East End really are. We came together to help one another, protect our children, and support those who were hurt. This is not normal, and our community deserves better.”
Police say the shooter has not been identified, and no arrests have been made.
The shooting also prompted the city to activate its Emergency Mobilization Plan and declare a police staffing emergency as officers responded to the scene. Investigators are reviewing evidence from the scene, along with video from a livestream that captured the moment the gunfire began. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Police are asking anyone who was at the event and may have photos, video, or information about what happened to come forward.
You can contact Lexington Police at 859-258-3600. For those who want to remain anonymous, Bluegrass Crime Stoppers can be reached at 859-253-2020.
An 18-year-old has been arrested in connection with a shooting at Lexington’s Charles Young Park that left a 16-year-old dead and several others injured.
Lexington police say Jametrius M. Griffin was arrested Sunday in connection with the shooting and death of Di’Zhon Robertson during the Eastend Days event Saturday.
Griffin is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
He is charged with murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and tampering with physical evidence.
UPDATED: SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 5:30 p.m.
No arrests have been made after a shooting at a Lexington park Saturday night left 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson dead and four others wounded, including a 4-year-old and a 14-year-old, police said Sunday.
The shooting happened shortly before 7 p.m. during an East End Day community event. Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said several people at the event provided investigators with “very actionable information." As of the filing of this report, no suspect has been named.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the direct identification or arrest of those responsible.
Foundation founder and national director Daniel Chapin said. “If you know something, please do the right thing and tell law enforcement.”
The four other victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Mayor Linda Gorton said during a Sunday press briefing that the community was coming together to support those affected and a prayer service following the briefing at the park. Gorton said support services will be available Monday at the Dunbar Community Center.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said they are working every lead to find the suspect or suspects and that this shooting "does not define the East End.” Weathers said, ”We are going to do our best to hold those responsible accountable.”
Devine Carama with ONE Lexington, the city's organization working to reduce gun violence among Lexington's youth, called the shooting “Unacceptable. I was present in the park; I’ve seen my brothers helping those who were shot. It’s not about politics; this is about humanity, and it’s about our neighbors.”
Carama said ONE Lexington crisis response teams will be at several FCPS schools Monday morning, including William Wells Brown Elementary, Academics of Bryan Station High School, Henry Clay High School and Lexington Middle School.
Devine Carama with ONE Lexington joined Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton (L) and Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers (R) for a press conference Sunday afternoon to update the community on Saturday's mass shooting. (2076x1557, AR: 1.3333333333333333)
UPDATED: SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 2:15 p.m.:
The Fayette County Coroner's office has confirmed that a teenager died from a gunshot wound sustained in Saturday night's mass shooting at Charles Young Park.
16-year old Di'Zhon Robertson was pronounced dead in the Emergency Room at UK Hospital at 7:10 p.m. Saturday night, minutes following the shooting.
A statement from Fayette County Public Schools said Robertson was a student at Success Academy and was previously enrolled in Bryan Station High School.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers surveyed the crime scene late Saturday. (976x651, AR: 1.4992319508448542)
SUNDAY, 8/16/26, 6:30 a.m.:
One dead, four injured in shooting at Lexington community event:
It was supposed to be a community celebration, but shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday evening, Lexington Police say gunfire broke out at Charles Young Park, leaving one person dead and four injured, including two children.
One person was pronounced dead at UK Hospital shortly after the shooting. Four others were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. Among those hurt are a four-year-old child, a 14-year-old, and two adults.
Devine Carama with ONE Lexington posted on social media that he was inches away from the shooter. He said in part:
“My heart is broken. Opening fire into a crowd at a peaceful event, in broad daylight, with women and children present is unacceptable. But even in this tragic moment, we saw just how amazing and loving the people of East End really are. We came together to help one another, protect our children, and support those who were hurt. This is not normal, and our community deserves better.”
Police say the shooter has not been identified, and no arrests have been made.
The shooting also prompted the city to activate its Emergency Mobilization Plan and declare a police staffing emergency as officers responded to the scene. Investigators are reviewing evidence from the scene, along with video from a livestream that captured the moment the gunfire began. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Police are asking anyone who was at the event and may have photos, video, or information about what happened to come forward.
You can contact Lexington Police at 859-258-3600. For those who want to remain anonymous, Bluegrass Crime Stoppers can be reached at 859-253-2020.