The Major League Baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning on Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park.
Two people were shot, said Dustin Sternbeck, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesman. Investigators believe, based on preliminary information, that one of the victims was an employee at the stadium, he said. Washington DC police later tweeted that “two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.”
More than two dozen police cars, ambulances and fire engines were on the street outside the stadium and a police helicopter hovered overhead.
Imagining what people were feeling as they ran for their lives w/ families during night at the ball park.
Latest per @DCPoliceDept: shooting outside stadium, 4 people shot-2 found on scene, 2 walked into hospital. “it appears there is no ongoing threat”pic.twitter.com/yjkfTu7vAS
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) July 18, 2021
The Padres had just taken the field for the bottom of the sixth inning when several loud pops were heard from the left-field side of the ballpark. Fans sitting in left-field quickly began leaving the stadium. A short time later, fans along the first-base side began briskly leaving their seats. Some fans crowded into the Padres’ dugout for safety as sirens were heard coming from outside the park.
The Nationals then announced there had been an incident was outside the stadium and posted a message on the scoreboard telling fans to remain inside the stadium.
About 10 minutes later, the team tweeted: “A shooting has been reported outside of the Third Base Gate at Nationals Park. Fans are encouraged to exit the ballpark via the CF and RF gates at this time.”
The Padres led 8-4 when the game was halted. It will be resumed on Sunday afternoon, followed by the regularly scheduled game.