An 18-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly firing a gun and injuring one person in a crowded gymnasium.
Del City Police said shots were fired inside Del City High School’s John Smith Fieldhouse after a boys’ basketball game between Del City and Millwood Tuesday night, reports The Oklahoman. An adult male was shot and driven to the Oklahoma University Medical Center in a personal vehicle. The unidentified victim is listed as stable. Police said neither the alleged shooter nor the victim is a student at Mid-Del Public Schools.
During a live stream of the game, two gunshots could be heard inside the gym as dozens of people, including several children, filled the gym floor. The video shows two broadcasters taking cover as people scream and run along the bleachers behind them.
“There was at least 500 people here, maybe a little bit more,” said Del City Police spokesperson Brad Cowden. “The game had just concluded when this incident occurred.”
Two on-duty Del City officers and two other off-duty officers were working security during the shooting and evacuated the gym. More shots were then reported in the school parking lot.
DCHS Principal Steve Gilliland said in a statement the shots were fired after a fight broke out at the end of the game. Police are looking into the possibility that the close game, which ended with a 62-58 score, sparked an altercation that led to the shooting, according to Newsweek.
“I pray for the people involved to realize that having a gun don’t make you popular,” said Millwood High basketball player William Mays. “All we can do is pray that one [day] they will understand.”
DCHS pivoted to a virtual learning day Wednesday but returned to in-person learning Thursday.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Del City Police Department at 405-677-2443.
