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Teenager Shot; Parents, Children Separated for Hours

Updated: Monday, March 4 2013, 07:02 PM EST
COLUMBUS -- A party at a north Columbus community center geared toward teenagers erupted in gunfire Saturday night. Teens say gunshots were fired after party security began macing some of the teenagers when the community center began overflowing with patrons.

"As a parent, your first thought is to get to your babies," Tanya Long said.

Long was on the phone with her boyfriend who was dropping teenagers off at the party.

"I heard, pow, pow, pow, pow; I could hear it over the phone," she said.

A 14-year-old was struck in the leg and taken to Riverside Hospital. She's now recovering in stable condition.

As police sealed off a crime scene, parents and teenagers were separated for more than three hours until police cleared the crime scene allowing the two groups to reunite at around two o'clock in the morning.

Now, parents are searching for other outlets for their teenagers. They say increased violence is taking its toll.

"Somebody has to come together so we can decide, what are we going to do with our teens so that they can have a healthy social outlet," Long said. "I really believe that's the way."