Gunshots fired near high school football game in Laveen
Oct 18, 2019, 8:32 PM | Updated: 11:32 pm
(Danny Shapiro/KTAR News)
(Danny Shapiro/KTAR News)
PHOENIX — Gunshots were fired near a high school football game in Laveen Friday night.
Around 8 p.m., KTAR News’ Danny Shapiro reported gunshots being fired with two minutes to go in the first half at Betty H. Fairfax High School as they hosted South Mountain.
There were approximately ten shots fired from outside of the stadium. No one was injured from the gunshots and they did not happen on school grounds, per Phoenix Police.
Players and coaches could be seen kneeling and laying down on the field while fans in the stands started to run.
Players ducking on the field. Lots of people running. Heard about 10 shots. pic.twitter.com/sp2FokBeaA
— Danny Shapiro (@DannyShapiro13) October 19, 2019
An ambulance arrived for a Betty Fairfax player on the field during the stoppage and reports later confirmed that was for a player who had been injured on the play prior and it was not from gunshot wounds. The player was taken away in the ambulance after suffering a neck injury. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Everyone was told to evacuate the stadium into the school’s gyms. Phoenix Union High School District’s Richard Franco called this a modified lockdown, also known as a “Shelter in Place.”
After a delay in the game, players and fans returned from the gyms as the game was resumed when police said they had checked the perimeter and found no signs of danger.
News helicopters circling, almost empty stands. But football is happening again. pic.twitter.com/kWLHonbGsE
— Danny Shapiro (@DannyShapiro13) October 19, 2019
South Mountain won the game 37-20.
Afterward, South Mountain co-head coach Mark Carter spoke to both teams and then with Shapiro. Carter shared a positive message with the players and talked about uplifting each other.
South Mountain co-head coach Marcus Carter spoke with both teams after the game. pic.twitter.com/pRr7RMeOBR
— Danny Shapiro (@DannyShapiro13) October 19, 2019
Here’s what South Mountain co-head coach Mark Carter had to say about the incident: pic.twitter.com/CyHrFJ9Z1O
— Danny Shapiro (@DannyShapiro13) October 19, 2019
Betty H. Fairfax is southwest of Phoenix near Baseline Road and 59th Avenue.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Danny Shapiro contributed to this report.
