The vibrant evening at Fifth Avenue Park in Conway, Arkansas, turned to tragedy on Sunday when gunfire tore through a community gathering, leaving two dead and nine wounded. Among the lives lost was Tatayana Penister, a name now etched in the hearts of those who knew her and the community shaken by her loss. The park, typically a place of laughter and connection, became a scene of chaos and sorrow as families and friends fled for safety, their sense of security shattered in moments.
Latashia Winzer, a witness who was with Penister when the shooting began, shared a raw and heartrending account of her efforts to save her friend. In a public post online, Winzer described performing CPR on Penister, her hands trembling with exhaustion as she fought to keep her alive. She spoke of begging for help, her voice drowned out by the pandemonium, and expressed deep anguish over the lack of immediate aid she felt at the scene. Her words captured the desperation of a moment where every second mattered, and the unbearable weight of loss that followed. “She didn’t want to die,” Winzer wrote, her grief palpable. “No mother deserves to get a call like this.”
The shooting unfolded rapidly, with multiple 911 calls flooding emergency lines as shots rang out. Video footage from bystanders shows crowds scattering, some running toward safety while others ducked for cover. The park, located just south of the Interstate 40 interchange, is a popular spot for families, known for its splash pad and open spaces. On this night, it hosted a large gathering, though the exact nature of the event remains unclear. What is certain is the devastation left in the wake of the violence—two lives ended, and nine others forever altered.
As of Monday, the nine injured victims were receiving treatment at area hospitals, all reported to be in stable condition. The identity of the second person killed has not been disclosed, pending notification of family. Authorities have remained tight-lipped about suspects or a possible motive, leaving the community grappling with unanswered questions. The Conway Police Department has urged anyone with information to come forward, providing a direct line to their Criminal Investigation Division. They emphasize that every detail, no matter how small, could help piece together the events of that night.
Investigators have cordoned off the area around Fifth Avenue Park, asking the public to steer clear as they collect evidence and interview witnesses. The scene, now quiet, stands in stark contrast to the panic described by those who were there. Social media has become a space for both mourning and frustration, with some residents questioning the response time of emergency services and others simply pleading for an end to such violence. The tragedy has struck a chord in Conway, a city of about 60,000, where such incidents are rare but deeply felt.
For now, the investigation continues, with police promising updates as new information emerges. The community, meanwhile, is left to mourn Tatayana Penister and another unnamed soul, their absence a reminder of the fragility of peace. As Conway begins to heal, the memory of Sunday’s horror lingers, a call for answers and action in a city forever changed.