Tuesday, October 6, 2026·Focal News

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Racine teen Samarian Aranda, 17, dies after shooting at Lockwood Park

Samarian “Papi” Aranda was shot during an altercation at Lockwood Park early Sunday and later died at a hospital. A 16-year-old was arrested and is being treated for a gunshot wound; police are seeking information from the public.

Racine teen Samarian Aranda, 17, dies after shooting at Lockwood Park
Samarian Aranda, a 17-year-old known to family and friends as “Papi,” died after being shot during an altercation at Lockwood Park in Racine early Sunday, his family said. A large crowd had gathered at the park after 1 a.m. when the altercation occurred. Aranda was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his back and later died, according to the account of the incident. A 16-year-old who was arrested is being treated for a gunshot wound to the torso and is expected to survive. Aranda’s sister, Giselle, said she was nearby when the shooting happened. “I just remember them fighting and stuff. And me trying to pull my brother out to get back in the car,” she said. A longtime family friend, Dariyah Stidman, said she could not recall what started the fight. “It wasn’t supposed to happen. It was stupid honestly. It was just like over nothing, literally,” she said. The family said Aranda’s death is the second loss of a sibling this year. His oldest sister, Sandra Aranda, died in February while trying to save her siblings during a house fire. In a fundraising appeal for funeral costs, the family described Samarian as a loving son, brother and friend who was still coping with his sister’s death. Racine police are asking anyone with information to contact the department’s Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330.

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