A photo of Mia Griffin, a Harker Heights High School student who was killed in a shooting incident at Fort Hood’s Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area on Saturday.

Courtesy | CChelle’s Visual

The audience erupted in applause on Friday as Killeen ISD posthumously awarded a diploma to Mia Griffin, a 17-year-old Harker Heights High School student who was killed in a shooting less than a week before she was set to graduate with the class of 2026.

During the Harker Heights High School commencement ceremony at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton, one of Griffin’s close friends walked the stage carrying a photo of the late student and accepted the diploma on Griffin’s behalf, which prompted a standing ovation.

The graduation took place two days after what would have been Griffin’s 18th birthday, and just six days after the deadly occurrence at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) on Memorial Day weekend that claimed her life and injured several others.

In the days since the shooting, officials have publicly disclosed some details surrounding Mia’s death, but several key questions still remain unanswered.

The Fort Hood Media Center announced previously that the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is leading the investigation into the deadly incident, and that two suspects were detained after Fort Hood Military Police were dispatched to BLORA on the evening of May 23.

However, as of Friday, the Army CID has not confirmed the identities of the suspects, whether they have been charged, if they are still being detained or if either of them fired the fatal shot.

According to the media center, the Fort Hood Military Police desk received reports of disorderly conduct at BLORA, including vehicles bypassing the gate and a later anonymous report of a disturbance involving alcohol, drugs, and minors. MP patrols were dispatched to the scene to investigate and restore order.

“At approximately 9:04 p.m., responding MPs reported shots fired while attempting to break up a fight. During the exchange, the responding MPs returned fire,” the media center stated in a news release. “Additional MP units were immediately dispatched to establish a security cordon, render aid, and assist victims.”

The media center noted that multiple injured individuals were treated or transported by Emergency Medical Services, the two suspects were detained and an air evacuation transported another injured person for further care. Additionally, one service member was treated for minor injuries on scene and released.

The center also mentioned that a civilian — who would later be identified as Griffin — was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries. She was a senior and was scheduled to graduate on Friday with the Class of 2026. She was also a multi-year member of the HHHS girls’ track team and was a post-season track qualifier.

In one Facebook video, a crowd of 20 or more young people can be seen surrounding what appears to be a fight. Shortly after one of the people involved in the fight is separated by a military police officer and others, what sounds like gunshots can be heard along with panicked screams.

“They shot him,” a male voice is heard saying in the video. “Oh, my God.”

About 20 bangs, which sounded like gunshots, were heard in the video.

KWTX News 10 reported that the shooting also wounded 21-year-old Kaden Johnson, who underwent emergency surgery at a hospital in Temple. Lacy Argabright, Johnson’s mother, reportedly told the outlet that her son was shot twice by a military police officer.

The Killeen Daily Herald contacted Army CID on Tuesday with several questions, asking if the department has verified Argabright’s claims. KDH News asked for the identities of the two suspects and clarification on whether the shots that killed Griffin were fired by military police at the scene or by another individual.

“Army CID is in the preliminary phase of its investigation into the incident at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area and cannot release further information at this time,” the department said in response.

KDH News attempted to contact Army CID again on Thursday and Friday, but did not receive a response. The news outlet also attempted to contact Argabright, but she declined to comment.

Timeline of events

•According to the Fort Hood Media Center, around 7 p.m. on May 24, the Fort Hood Military Police (MP) desk received reports of disorderly conduct at BLORA, including vehicles bypassing the gate and a later anonymous report of a disturbance involving alcohol, drugs and minors. MP patrols were dispatched to the scene to investigate and restore order.

•The media center stated that around 9:04 p.m. that same day, responding MPs reported shots fired while attempting to break up a fight. During the exchange, the responding MPs returned fire. Additional MP units were immediately dispatched to establish a security cordon, render aid, and assist victims. Multiple individuals were treated or transported by Emergency Medical Services. Two suspects were detained, a service member was treated for minor injuries on scene and released, and an air evacuation transported another injured person for further care. A civilian — who would later be identified as Griffin — was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

•The school district issued a statement on Monday, noting that the Killeen ISD community is mourning Griffin’s death and that counseling support is available across the district for any staff member or student who may need assistance. Fort Hood MWR also notified the public on that day via Facebook that access to BLORA is limited to Department of War ID holders only until further notice. Previously, the area was accessible to the general public.

• On Tuesday, Killeen Mayor Joseph Solomon and other city leaders issued a statement of support for the community following Griffin’s death. “The City of Killeen extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragic incident at BLORA, including families, friends, classmates, educators and neighbors throughout the community,” the City of Killeen stated in a news release. “Our thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time.” Also on Tuesday, Harker Heights Mayor Michael Blomquist offered condolences to Griffin’s family and friends at the outset of the Harker Heights City Council meeting. “The City of Harker Heights extends its deepest thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and loved ones of Mia Griffin, who tragically lost her life early Saturday morning. Our hearts also go out to all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident. As a senior at Harker Heights High School, this loss is being felt deeply throughout our community.”

•Family, friends, community members, and local leaders gathered on Wednesday at Lions Club Community Park in Killeen on what would have been Griffin’s 18th birthday. The crowd of nearly 200 — many dressed in pink — released balloons at exactly 5:27 p.m. in honor of Griffin. During the gathering, those in attendance listened to remarks from two close friends of Griffin, as well as Griffin’s mother and father.

•On Thursday, a Fort Hood MWR representative confirmed that the new ID policy remains in effect at BLORA.

•Killeen ISD posthumously awarded a diploma during the Harker Heights High School graduation ceremony on Friday at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton.

SOURCE: https://kdhnews.com/news/crime/officials-have-yet-to-answer-several-key-questions-regarding-the-deadly-blora-shooting/article_b7c925c3-cf7c-485f-94c9-8942e8ee05a3.html