In the heart of Conway, Arkansas, a warm Sunday evening at Fifth Avenue Park was shattered by an outburst of gunfire, leaving a community grappling with grief and disbelief. Families and friends who had gathered to enjoy a springtime event were thrust into chaos as bullets tore through the air, claiming two lives and wounding nine others. Among the victims was Tatayana Penister, a name now etched in the city’s collective memory as the first identified casualty of a tragedy that unfolded on April 13, 2025. As emergency responders rushed to the scene, the park—once a place of laughter and connection—became a somber tableau of flashing lights and frantic efforts to save lives.
The Conway Police Department reported that the shooting occurred shortly after dusk, catching parkgoers off guard. Cell phone footage, now circulating widely, captures the raw panic as people scattered, some diving for cover while others clutched loved ones and fled. Screams pierced the air, mingling with the sharp cracks of gunfire. Eleven individuals were struck, with two pronounced dead at the scene. The surviving victims, ranging in age and background, were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals. Authorities have confirmed that all nine injured are in stable condition, though the emotional scars of the event will likely linger far longer than their physical wounds.
Details about Tatayana Penister’s life remain limited, as her family and friends mourn in private. Authorities have withheld the identity of the second deceased victim pending notification of kin, a standard practice that underscores the human toll of such events. No information has been released about the ages, occupations, or connections among the victims, leaving the community to piece together fragments of a story that feels both deeply personal and achingly universal.
Investigators are working tirelessly to unravel the circumstances that led to this outbreak of violence. The Conway Police Department has issued a public plea for patience, asking residents to steer clear of the park as forensic teams comb the area for evidence. Detectives are pursuing every lead, from bullet casings to witness accounts, in an effort to reconstruct the moments before the shooting. No suspects have been named, and the motive remains elusive. Was this a targeted act, a random outburst, or something else entirely? For now, those questions hang unanswered, fueling both fear and determination among Conway’s residents.
The police have cast a wide net for information, urging anyone who was at the park or nearby to come forward. A dedicated tip line, 501-450-6130, has been established, with instructions for callers to leave detailed messages if no one answers. Authorities are also seeking video footage—whether from cell phones, security cameras, or dashcams—that might offer clues. In a city where trust between law enforcement and the community is vital, this call for collaboration feels like both a necessity and a gesture of shared resolve.
Conway, a city of roughly 65,000, is no stranger to the rhythms of small-town life, where parks like Fifth Avenue serve as gathering spots for birthdays, picnics, and youth sports. The shooting has disrupted that sense of safety, prompting soul-searching among residents and leaders alike. Mayor Bart Castleberry, in a brief statement, expressed condolences and vowed support for the investigation, though he stopped short of speculating on broader implications. Across social media, tributes to the victims have begun to emerge, alongside calls for unity and healing.
As the investigation unfolds, the Conway Police Department has promised regular updates, though they caution that answers may come slowly. For now, the city holds its breath, mourning the loss of life and clinging to hope that clarity—and justice—will follow. Fifth Avenue Park, for the moment, stands quiet, its open fields bearing witness to a wound that will take time to heal. This is a story still being written, one that Conway’s people will carry with them long after the headlines fade.