Two men were arrested after shots were fired at a traditional Hmong New Year's festival on Saturday, resulting in the death of five citizens in a small, close community of east Tulsa.

Some felt that the shootings might keep people from attending other Hmong celebrations, including one scheduled for later this month, according to the Associated Press.

Two men were arrested shortly after gunfire rattled east Tulsa at about 8 p.m. According to authorities, 21-year-old Boonmlee Lee and 19-year-old Meng Lee, both of Tulsa, were taken into police custody, and face five counts of shooting with intent to kill, along with firearms charges.

"It's really sad because a lot of people do not feel safe to go to the other New Year's celebrations," Joua Xiong, who was among hundreds of other Hmong people who attended the celebration on Saturday. "It's very sad because this is the only time we really get to embrace our culture and unite as one. And I know a lot of other people will not come [to the Oct. 26-27 event] because of that."

Between 3,000 and 4,000 Hmong people, mostly from Laos, live in Tulsa - recently, the area has seen a large influx of this Asian ethnic group. Many who were in search of employment traveled from across the country to live in the Oklahoma city.

Spokesperson for the Tulsa police Capt. Steve Odom told the Associated Press that a firearm was found but they're not sure if it was linked to the shooting on Saturday night. Odom wagered that the suspected shooters and victims were all Hmong, and that the men charged and the victims "probably [had] a relationship."

Attendees of the parade told AP that most were lining up to get dinner when shots first went flying. Festivalgoers were sent flying in different directions, running and ducking for whatever shelter or cover they could find.

Xiong said that at first, she thought the loud "pop" she heard was a balloon.

"Then I realized we didn't have any balloons over there, and then everyone started standing up and taking cover. Some people were crying already, and that scared us," she said.

A police helicopter spied a car driving from the site of the incident with its headlights off, and officers on the ground pulled the suspects over.

The five victims have not yet been identified, and some of the wounded are still under medical care in local hospitals.