By Gina Yarbrough
Washington, D.C.–A shooting outside of Nationals Park in D.C. halted a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals Saturday evening at the stadium.
Several rounds of gunfire were reported outside of the third-base gate during the sixth inning. Both teams immediately left the field and the game was halted by officials.
Terrified fans were seen on video running from their seats to seek shelter. Others ran onto the fields to find an exit out of the ballpark. An announcer over the PA system urged fans to stay calm and remain in the ballpark. After a few minutes, security allowed fans to exit through the ballpark’s gates.
“Tonight’s game has been suspended in the bottom of the 6th inning due to an incident surrounding Nationals Park. The suspended game will resume beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET and be completed as a nine-inning regulation game,” said the Washington Nationals on Twitter.
The San Diego Padres responded to the incident on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident outside of Nationals Park.”
The Metropolitan Police Department responded to a 9:30 p.m. report of a shooting in the 1500 block of South Capitol Street, SW, in which three people were shot outside of Nationals Park.
At a news conference, Executive Assistant D.C. Police Chief Ashan Benedict said investigators believed two vehicles were involved in a “shootout.”
“One vehicle pulls up. Another vehicle pulls up next to it and engages that first vehicle in gunfire,” Benedict said. “Both vehicles left the area and proceeded down south on South Capitol Street.”
Officers were notified of two additional adult male victims who were seeking treatment at a local area hospital for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
“They are known to law enforcement,” Benedict said of the suspects involved in the shooting. He did not release further details about the suspects.
During their investigation, officers located an adult female, who was attending the game, conscious and breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the suspect vehicle is described as a gray Toyota Corolla with a missing hubcap on the rear driver’s side wheel and dark tinted windows. The vehicle is believed to be displaying a Virginia temporary tag.
The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the incident.
