A high school football game descended into a scene of mass panic after a gunshot was heard causing both players and fans to rush for cover.
Elizabeth Forward had just gone up 42-20 at South Allegheny with 4:44 left in the third quarter when the incident occurred at Gladiator Stadium in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) game was immediately declared over, and a suspect has since been arrested after being apprehended by South Allegheny School Police officers.
The game was being streamed live on the TribLive High School Sports Network, showing the terrifying scenes that unfolded as they returned from a brief break after the latest touchdown.
As the teams lined up for kickoff, a gunshot was audibly heard. After a brief moment of confusion, players and cheerleaders on the South Allegheny sideline nearest the camera started to sprint away from the field.
Screams could be heard from nearby onlookers as panic rapidly spread and Elizabeth Forward players and coaches also started rushing across the field towards safety, as well as cheerleaders, members of the band and fans.
Players and cheerleaders ran for cover after a gunshot at a high school football game
Panic broke out at Gladiator Stadium in South Allegheny, Pennsylvania after the incident
After brief confusion, announcer Paul Paterra declared: ‘Now there has been a shooting. There has been a shooting.’
‘Everybody get down,’ he added, before telling a colleague filming to ‘get off the roof’.
He continued: ‘Folks, we are ducking for cover. There was a shot, it appears. All we saw is everybody just start sprinting. There was a loud bang.
‘Sorry folks, as soon as we find out what’s going on we will let you know.’
Players retreated to the locker room while some fans took cover in the press box. Around 10 minutes later, after coaches met with officials and the game was called off, players were safe to return from the locker rooms and line up to shake hands on midfield.
A statement from South Allegheny Superintendent Dr. David McDonald read: ‘At approximately 10:55 p.m. tonight, during the home football game at Gladiator Stadium between South Allegheny and visiting Elizabeth Forward, a shot was fired.
‘The suspect, whose address is neither a South Allegheny nor an Elizabeth Forward address, was apprehended within seconds by South Allegheny School Police officers.
‘The game was immediately declared over. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The game was called off but players returned to the field to shake hands
It was the first game of the season in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
‘Both teams were escorted to their respective locker rooms by local police, and all spectators have safely exited the stadium.
‘We are grateful for the quick response of our South Allegheny School Police officers and the assistance of our local law enforcement partners. The safety of our students, athletes, families, staff and community remains our highest priority.
‘Additional information will be provided by law enforcement as it becomes available.’
As the broadcast reached an abrupt conclusion, announcer Paterra delivered a final plea.
‘Ladies and gentleman, stay safe out there, and don’t let this stuff happen any more,’ he said.
‘This is an athletic endeavor of high school kids. It’s a joyful experience. Don’t ever put a dampener on it, don’t ever let it have to end this way.’
