Police Hunt Suspects After Arcadia Lake Shooting Injures at Least 18 in Oklahoma

A shooting erupted around 9 p.m. on May 3, 2026, during an unsanctioned party at Scissortail Campground near Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma, leaving at least 18 people hospitalized and sending authorities into a heavily wooded area in search of suspects.

The Details

Edmond police reported that at least 18 people were transported to hospitals following the shooting, which occurred during a large gathering promoted on social media. Local television station News 9, however, reported that investigators had confirmed at least 23 people injured in the incident and explicitly warned that the count could rise as additional victims self-transport to medical facilities. The discrepancy in reported numbers reflects the fluid and evolving nature of the casualty count in the immediate aftermath of the violence.

Integris Health, the hospital system treating victims from the shooting, said it received a total of 13 patients from the overnight incident at Arcadia Lake in Edmond. According to the hospital, three of those patients were listed in critical condition and four were in serious condition. The admitted patients ranged in age from 16 to 30, indicating that the gathering drew a predominantly young crowd.

Police said the event had been promoted on social media platforms and attracted a large crowd of mostly young adults from across the Oklahoma City metro area. The gathering was unsanctioned, authorities noted, and took place at the campground near the reservoir.

As of May 4, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting. Investigators were actively searching for suspects in a heavily wooded area surrounding the campground, a terrain that has presented challenges for law enforcement. Police had not publicly identified any suspects or confirmed a motive behind the gunfire.

Context

Arcadia Lake is a reservoir and recreation area located in Edmond, approximately 13 miles north of Oklahoma City. The Scissortail Campground sits within a heavily wooded region, which has complicated search efforts for investigators combing the area for suspects.

Witness Jeremiah Smith, who was present at the gathering, described how an argument escalated before gunfire erupted. "It just started a whole bunch of chaos," Smith said, according to CBS News and the Associated Press. His account suggests a rapid escalation from a dispute to widespread violence.

Edmond police spokesperson Emily Ward addressed public concern about the incident and the ongoing investigation. "This is obviously a very terrifying situation and we understand the concern from the public and those involved and we are working extremely hard to find the suspects," Ward said.

In response to the incident, police established a reunification center for families at a Walmart located at 1225 W I-35 Frontage Road in Edmond. The center was set up to help loved ones connect with information about those affected by the shooting and to provide a coordinated point of contact for anxious families.

What's Next

Authorities have not confirmed whether any fatalities occurred in the shooting, and the total number of injured remains subject to change as more victims may seek medical care independently without initially being counted by emergency responders. The search for suspects is continuing in the wooded terrain near the campground.

Investigators are urging anyone with information about the shooting or those involved to contact Edmond police. Because police had not identified suspects or confirmed a motive as of the latest reporting, significant developments are expected as the investigation progresses and as more victims potentially come forward.