CINCINNATI — Authorities say an Ohio student-athlete was injured in a shooting outside a stadium where a high school football game was being played, the second case of gunfire near the stadium this month.
North College Hill police said the gunfire occurred at about 8:15 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of the elementary school during the game between the North College Hill and Woodward high school teams. Police said school administrators and police immediately began to evacuate the stadium and police worked to “secure the crime scene.”
Principal Sam Yates of Woodward Career Technical High School told families in an e-mail that a Woodward student-athlete was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The principal of North College Hill, Eugene Blalock Jr., said in a social media post that he was “disheartened” by what occurred and concerned that “the emotional scars and trauma will be long-lasting.”
“I feel absolutely helpless, but I acknowledge that we cannot control the actions of those who choose to engage in harmful behavior,” he said.
Shots were also fired near the stadium during a Sept. 6 game against Cincinnati Country Day. No one was injured. Blalock said this would be the last game played at the stadium this season.
“I live in North College Hill,” he told The (Cincinnati) Enquirer. “It’s a great community, but there are far too many guns out here on the street.”
A Cincinnati Public Schools spokesperson said a crisis response team “will be on-site to provide support to students as they return to school Tuesday.”
On Friday night, chaos erupted outside of a high school football game when gunfire rang out, leaving one person injured and prompting the evacuation of the stadium. The incident occurred just as the game was coming to a close, sending spectators running for safety and causing panic among those in attendance.
According to witnesses, the gunfire erupted near the entrance of the stadium, causing a stampede as people tried to flee the area. The injured individual was quickly attended to by medical personnel and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their current condition is unknown at this time.
In response to the shooting, authorities quickly evacuated the stadium and surrounding area as they worked to secure the scene and investigate the incident. Police officers were seen combing the area for evidence and interviewing witnesses in an effort to determine what led to the shooting.
The incident has left many in the community shocked and concerned about the safety of attending high school sporting events. School officials have reassured the public that they are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of all students and spectators at future events.
This shooting serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of gun violence in our society and the need for stricter gun control measures. It is a tragic reminder of the potential dangers that can arise in public spaces, even at events as seemingly innocent as a high school football game.
As the investigation into this incident continues, it is important for members of the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. It is also crucial for schools and event organizers to implement proper security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Our thoughts are with the victim of this senseless act of violence, and we hope for a swift recovery. It is imperative that we come together as a community to address the root causes of gun violence and work towards creating a safer environment for all.
