The terrified crowd at a high school football game in Ohio are seen on video scrambling for safety when gunfire erupts.
During the fourth quarter of the football game between Whitmer High School and Central Catholic, gunshots rang out into the air. The alarmed audience, players, referees, the marching band, and high school students frantically attempted to take cover from the shooting.
Video shared by WTOL sports director Jordan Strack shows a man on the ground shielding a young child from the shooting. Others are huddled behind a barrier to protect themselves from the gunfire.
WTOL reported, “More than 12 gunshots were heard at the southwest corner stadium near the main entrance during the game and people in the stands were seen fleeing. Several bullet casings were seen scattered on the ground behind the field house.”
The shooting – which happened around 9:30 p.m. on Friday – took place outside of the Whitmer High School football stadium, but gunshots were clearly heard during the broadcast of the game.
Washington Local Schools spokesperson Katie Peters said a Whitmer High School student and two adults – one male, one female – were shot on Friday night outside the football stadium.
They were transported to a local hospital for their injuries, that police say are non-life-threatening.
The Toledo Police Department said two people are in custody in connection with the shooting, and that two other individuals could be linked to the incident.
“No guests were injured in the evacuation and we could not be prouder of our students, staff, Whitmer fans, and our guests from Central Catholic,” Peters said.
Washington Local Schools Superintendent Kadee Anstadt released a statement regarding the shooting, according to WTVG.
“We are deeply saddened that a fun rivalry tonight was disrupted by an act of violence in the streets surrounding our event,” Anstadt said. “What we know at this time is limited, and we will not speculate until further details are known. An event like this is every school district’s worst nightmare, and we ask that you keep both Central and Whitmer in your thoughts as we attempt to figure out this atrocious act.”
The game between Whitmer High School and Central Catholic High School was ended prematurely with six minutes left to play. The game will not be finished – giving Central Catholic a 46-16 win.
Kevin Parkins – head of Central Catholic High School – said junior varsity and freshman football games for Saturday are canceled.
Parkins added that the Central Catholic student body will gather on Tuesday to “talk to them, support them, but also pray.”