WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A West Des Moines park reopened Monday morning following an investigation over the weekend.
West Des Moines police alongside West Des Moines Parks and Recreation closed Crossroads Park Saturday afternoon after a fight involving 50 people broke out Friday night, officials said in a press release.
Officers who responded to the scene found evidence of illegal drug use along with a fully loaded and abandoned AK-47 rifle.
18-year-old Mareon Wilson was arrested and charged with Persons Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons. Police also confiscated a handgun.
As of Monday morning, police investigators have completed their work in the park.
“The City of West Des Moines did not take this decision lightly," said Sgt. Dan Wade. “We don’t take safety lightly either. We needed this closure to give our people a chance to make sure the park was safe again. We appreciate the community’s patience and we will continue to monitor activity in the park.”
The Friday fight comes about a month after a June 23 incident where shots were fired in Crossroads Park, leaving two people injured. West Des Moines police did not indicate the two incidents were related.