Gunman kills five people, self at roller rink

Six people died and four were injured when a gunman opened fire during a family birthday party at a Grand Prairie roller rink Saturday evening.

The shooting at Forum Roller World occurred when a family member drew a pistol during what apparently started as a fight between a husband and wife, police said.

“It was an argument. The shooter had gotten into here at a private birthday party,” said John Brimmer, Grand Prairie police spokesman. “It escalated to the point where he pulled a gun and started shooting.”

The gunman also died from a self-inflicted wound, Brimmer said. The ages and identities of the victims were not released Saturday evening.

Brimmer said the shooting call came in at 7:10 p.m. The first officer arrived about 90 seconds later, he said.

“It just started raining police,” Brimmer said.

Aaron Feldt was standing across the street when he saw family members of the victims run across the parking lot.

“I saw family coming across the street looking panicked,” Feldt said. “They had children along with some adults.”

Witnesses told police that the gunman had rented the roller rink. At 9:30 p.m., bodies were still inside as detectives investigated. Survivors were interviewed by police, Feldt said.

“Thank God this doesn’t happen every day, especially at what is supposed to be a festive occasion,” Brimmer said. “To have something like this happen is a double kick in the stomach.”

Eiserer and Kim write for the Dallas Morning News/McClatchy