WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fans at a Major League Baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. were frightened Saturday when gunshots were heard at the stadium. Many were seen fleeing the ballpark, while others sought safety within the park.
In a tweet at 10 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. said it was responding to the shooting in the 1500 block of South Capitol Street.
Initially, police said two people were shot outside the park, but later said that an exchange of gunfire between occupants of two cars left three people injured.
Police said, “it appears there is no ongoing threat at this time,” and that there’s an active investigation into the incident.
MPD is responding to a shooting in the 1500 block of South Capitol Street, SW, in which two people where shot outside of Nationals Park. This is currently an active investigation and it appears there is no ongoing threat at this time.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 18, 2021
The MLB game was in the bottom of the 6th inning when the shooting was reported outside the third base gate.
When the shooting was first reported, the Nationals told fans to remain in the stadium. A message on a large screen at the park said, “Attention fans, the incident is outside the stadium. Please remain inside the stadium at this time.”
Fans were then encouraged to exit the ballpark via the “CF and RF gates,” according to the Nationals.
“We're working with law enforcement to provide more information as soon as it becomes available,” said the team.
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.
We're working with law enforcement to provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 18, 2021
Videos shared on social media show fans fleeing the park in the wake of the shooting, scrambling to get to safety.
Hope everyone is safe at Nationals park. I heard a few loud bangs and then a mass exodus. View from my roof pic.twitter.com/MA1B7z83u2
— Jalen Drummond (@jalen_drummond) July 18, 2021
The Nationals said the suspended game was set to resume at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday and be completed as a nine-inning regulation game.
“Following the conclusion of the suspended game, the regularly scheduled game will begin within 25-45 minutes and will be played as a nine-inning regulation game,” said the team in a statement Saturday. “Tickets and parking passes for the regularly scheduled game may be used for admission to both of tomorrow’s games.”
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 Padres responded to the shooting on Twitter, saying, "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident outside of Nationals Park."
