Robert’s Park Event Ends in Citywide Chaos
July 27, 2024
The events of the night of June 29 in Evansville have changed the lives of three gunshot victims that sent two people allegedly involved in the shootings to jail. Leading up to the gunfire at a Southside gas station was an event at Robert’s Park, followed by several hours of mayhem that moved to multiple locations throughout Evansville for several hours.
The Parks Department Approved An Application For A “Rodeo”
The park use permit application stated that the park would be used for a rodeo, and the anticipated crowd size would be 250 attendees. The permit stated that admission would be charged and alcohol would be served at the event. Parks and Recreation Director Danielle Cook approved the rodeo application after collecting a $500 special events fee 12 days before the event.
The promoted name for the event was “Kentuckiana Freaknic Hoedown,” and it was, in reality, nothing like a rodeo. The event resembled an open-air club with a bar and DJ. There was no admission charge, but a parking fee of $20 was collected per car.
Significance Of The Crowd Estimate
Estimating the anticipated crowd size at 250 is significant because, according to the use permit, if the crowd exceeds 300 at any time, “approval will not be given until the applicant provides a certificate of insurance.” If the crowd size exceeds 500, the event requires approval from the parks board instead of the director’s sole discretion.
After The Event, Chaos Spreads Through The City
Since city parks officially close at 11 PM, the event was supposed to end at 11, but some attendees weren’t ready for the rodeo to end. Groups of cars congregated in gas station parking lots, blasting their music and doing burnouts.
Police were called for criminal mischief and fight runs at several parking lots. At around 2:30 a.m., a crowd gathered at Kentucky and Riverside, and, according to Evansville Watch, a call went out for all available units. Police were preparing to use pepper balls to disperse the crowd.
The crowd of about 300 moved to the Washington Square Mall parking lot, where a fight broke out. Police again prepared to use pepper balls to clear people out. The group moved to the On The Fly gas station at Greenriver and Covert, and shots rang out, injuring three victims.
The police have two suspects in custody and are continuing to investigate.
