The Washington Nationals game against the San Diego Padres was stopped in the sixth inning and will not resume tonight after a shooting occurred outside of the third base gate at Nationals Park.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, four people were shot outside the left field gate on South Capital Street. Two victims were transported to the hospital and were conscious and breathing while two others walked in for “treatment of gunshot wounds.”
The DC Police Department said that “there is no ongoing threat at this time” and they are investigating the shooting.
Two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds. MPD is on scene and actively investigating at this time.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 18, 2021
According to Hugo Lowell, a congressional reporter for the Guardian, one woman who was shot was treated by first responders in the stadium.
Breaking: At least two people are confirmed to have been shot outside the Nationals stadium tonight, per DC Metro Police. One woman who was shot was briefly treated by first responders in the stadium.
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) July 18, 2021
The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier reported that stadium employees told him that this appeared to be a drive-by shooting.
Stadium employees are saying this appeared to be a drive-by shooting. The victim’s car is in the middle of the police and medical personnel. The situation happened southbound on South Capitol. pic.twitter.com/VLND3xdvLj
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) July 18, 2021
At 10:12 PM, the Nationals announced that the suspended game would resume on Sunday at 1:05 PM.
Tonight's game has been suspended due to an incident surrounding Nationals Park.
It will resume tomorrow, Sunday, July 18, at 1:05 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/PAGf0uYZ9Y
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 18, 2021
The incident occurred shortly after 9:30 PM. Gunshots were heard on the third-base side outside the ballpark causing a chaotic scene. The sound of the gunfire could be heard clearly on the radio broadcast. Social media shows fans who were on the concourse ducking for cover and running away as the police swept the area.
Scene inside Nats Park: pic.twitter.com/O4jEh7mLqw
— Ted Starkey (@TedStarkey) July 18, 2021
Some players pulled their families into the dugout, including Fernado Tatis Jr., while some fans ran onto the field to hide wherever they could.
Players, including Fernando Tatis Jr. Just ran into stands and grabbed family members and brought them to clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/DlC1bSv3I7
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) July 18, 2021
According to The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden, Tatis and Manny Machado opened the gate to the field to help protect the fans.
Here at Nats Park as fans are making their way out of the stadium.
Talked to a fan who said the spectators in section 112-113 ducked down when they heard gunshots and everyone followed suit. Tatis and Machado opened the gate to the field and took fans to the dugout. pic.twitter.com/HM70l0tgDQ
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) July 18, 2021
Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin fled to the concourse where others hid in bathrooms and suites.
Shots fired outside Nationals Park. Many people, including Nationals SP Patrick Corbin, fled for the concourse. Many have taken shelter in bathrooms or suites. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/BephZ0kBVO
— Nick Leimbach (@nleimbach) July 18, 2021
While all the chaos was happening, Nats’ PA announcer Jerome Hruska urged fans to remain calm.
Fans are running on the field and inside the dugouts. The PA announcer is telling fans to remain calm because there is an incident outside the stadium.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) July 18, 2021
Eventually, fans were asked to exit at the center field and right field gates.
9:33pm tonight. Main concourse, Centerfield Gate. pic.twitter.com/muJZu9oKQv
— Navy Yard Nats 🦈 (@NavyYardNats) July 18, 2021
Capitals radio voice John Walton, who was near the stadium, posted he was safe on Twitter.
Huge police and fire response on M street. Everyone pretty calm at First and M where we are. But a lot of people streaming down M away from the ballpark. https://t.co/Cg5HsMSfzs
— John Walton (@JohnWaltonPxP) July 18, 2021
The Padres were winning the game 8-4 when the game was stopped.
This story is developing.
Screenshot courtesy of @TedStarkey