Shaker Heights Police Chief: Claims of Shots Fired at 4th of July Fireworks Celebration Are Groundless

Chief D. Scott Lee said no evidence supports the claims of residents who say they heard gunshots at Shaker Heights' 4th of July fireworks celebration,.

It had been nearly 24 hours since the event when the chief said the department had not received a single call from a potential victim or the family members of one.

Lee acknowledged the , including two juveniles, for disorderly conduct in a series of fights. However, he dismissed the idea that the event turned into the riot that some residents and Shaker Heights Patch readers described following the event.

"It was obvious that a large group were not there to enjoy the event, but were there milling around looking for trouble," Lee said. "Nobody was killed. We did respond to the shots-fired calls.

"There was never any indication that anybody had shot (a gun) or was shot at."

Lee reiterated the idea that most cities receive more reports of gunshots on July 4 than any other day because of the sound fireworks create.

"When people hear fireworks, people equate it to gunshots," he said. "I'm not saying there weren't gunshots, but there's no evidence to support the calls we received.

"Nobody still has reported being a victim. I feel pretty confident that nobody was shot."