Fort Hood military police received reports of disorderly conduct at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) two hours before a shooting Saturday night left a 17-year-old high school senior dead and two others wounded at the central Texas installation.
The Fort Hood Military Police (MP) desk received the first reports at approximately 7 p.m. on May 23, including vehicles bypassing the gate and an anonymous tip about alcohol, drugs, and minors. At approximately 9:04 p.m., responding officers reported shots fired while attempting to break up a fight and returned fire.
“One civilian was transported to an area hospital but succumbed to their injuries,” Fort Hood officials confirmed in a statement. “Another non-DoD affiliated civilian was transported to an area hospital and remains in stable condition. One service member was treated for minor injuries on scene and released.”
Killeen ISD identified the victim as Mia Griffin, a Harker Heights High School senior preparing to graduate with the Class of 2026.
REST IN PEACE 🙏 The family of Mia Griffin, the young woman fatally shot over the weekend during a brawl at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area, gave KWTX permission to share this photo with you all. INFO: https://t.co/4UhGgAMXyv pic.twitter.com/ki8ExvC6Ec
— KWTX News 10 (@kwtx) May 25, 2026
The second civilian wounded, Kaden Johnson, 21, sustained two gunshot wounds and required surgery, his mother Lacy Argabright told KWTX. He is listed in stable condition. Argabright said the gathering was a party for graduating seniors.
Social media video appearing to show the incident captures MPs dispersing a large crowd before multiple shots ring out. One officer can be seen running toward the gunfire and returning fire in the direction of muzzle flashes. SOFX has not independently verified all details depicted in the footage.
🚨ARMY INVOLVED SHOOTING🚨
📍Belton Lake Outdoor Rec Area
US Army Corp of Engineers’ LakeLarge Teen Gathering
Gunshots Fired
Military Police (MP) Returned FireUNCONFIRMED:
2x Shot: 1x Male 1x Female
2x Persons In HandcuffsSources 👇 https://t.co/zfgN8YaKPT
— MISSION FIRST (@MISSION_FIRST_) May 24, 2026
Two suspects were detained at the scene. The Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is leading the investigation, which officials described as in its preliminary stages.
BLORA is open to the public and utilized by soldiers and civilians alike. The popular park was also the site of a separate fatal shooting following an altercation in June 2025, an incident that mistakenly triggered a base-wide active shooter alert at the time.
