WEST DES MOINES – Police in this large suburb of Des Moines were forced to close a park indefinitely after a large fight was broken up and someone left their loaded AK-47 rifle behind.
West Des Moines Police, in collaboration with West Des Moines Parks and Recreation, have temporarily closed Crossroads Park located at 5205 Ashworth Road. This closure went into effect Saturday afternoon and will remain in effect through the weekend.
This decision comes after events at the park the previous night. Police were called to the park on a report of a large fight involving 50 people. Responding officers found evidence of illegal drug use. They also found a loaded AK-47 rifle that was abandoned when officers arrived.
Also in the park, an 18 year old male, Mareon Wilson, was arrested and charged with Persons Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons. Officers seized a handgun as part of that investigation.
These are in addition to reports of shots being fired in the same park in the evening hours of June 23rd. That event left two people injured.
City officials recognize the impact of closing a city park. The priority in this decision is maintaining a safe environment for our residents and visitors, including the parties who rented the shelter this weekend, police said. Officials are working to reopen the park Monday afternoon.