Grant County Sheriff’s Office has reported that an active shooter at this weekend’s Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge is in custody.
Update, 9:45PM PT: Pasquale Rotella released a statement on Instagram to address the tragic incident and provide more details that can be disclosed at this time. He stated that the shooting took place in the furthest campground from The Gorge, with it stemming from an isolated situation that escalated and led to an officer-involved shooting to neutralize the threat.
Pasquale also addressed the question of why Beyond Wonderland continued that night, which was at the request of law enforcement after it was evident there was no ongoing threat to the safety of attendees. That decision was also made to keep attendees away from the campground area that needed to be secured and preserved for the investigation. Additionally, he shared his gratitude to the artists, staff, and Insomniac first responder team for their actions last night to help maintain the safety and calmness of attendees.
“I hold a profound love for our community and deeply value the principles that define our culture,” Pasquale said. “This incident stands in stark contrast to everything we stand for – it goes against the spirit of unity, love, and respect that we strive to foster within our community.”
Update, 5:00PM PT: Grant County Sheriff’s Office has officially notified the families of the victims from last night’s shooting at The Gorge. The identities of the victims will be revealed in the coming days.
Update, 2:45AM PT: The second day of Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge has officially been canceled after Insomniac delivered push notifications to attendees via their app. The campgrounds will be open until 12pm on Monday for those who need a place to stay if they choose to remain on-site, and a portion of H campgrounds is still closed due to the ongoing investigation. Ground Control is also on-site to assist with alternative accommodations.
Update, 11:30PM PT: The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed two deceased and three others injured, including the shooter. The shooter was reported to have been shooting randomly into the crowd before he was stopped by law enforcement. The incident is still under investigation, and further updates will be posted as they are released.
Previously: This weekend, Beyond Wonderland PNW is taking place at The Gorge, with thousands of attendees making their way to Washington state. On Saturday, June 17, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office official Facebook page reported an active shooter and advised those at The Gorge to seek cover. The incident occurred in the campground and not within the venue itself. At 9:19PM PT, the GCSO provided an update that the shooter had been apprehended and is in custody.
Though details and numbers are not yet confirmed, there are multiple injuries being reported. Helicopters were dispatched to air lift victims from the grounds. Those on-site are being advised through BeyondPNW’s official Twitter to avoid the Gorge Gate H campgrounds area as it is closed, and there is no current danger in the campgrounds or venue to attendees.
Stay tuned for more details on this developing story. The full statement can be found below.
