Police: 2 young men shot outside Richfield High School football game
RICHFIELD, Minn. -- Police are investigating a shooting that injured two young men outside a Richfield High School football game Friday evening.
According to police, the shooting was reported at around 8:45 p.m. at the homecoming game at the Richfield High School football field, located at 7001 Harriet Ave. S. in Richfield.
"A school staff member advised an on-site police officer that school officials had turned away a number of individuals from game entry that appeared to be waiting for the game to end. The individuals were gathered a short distance northeast of the football field," police said in a news release.
As the on-site police officer was driving to the area of the individuals, two gunshots were heard. Numerous people were seen running from the scene.
Two male victims, ages 18 and 21, suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said. The 18-year-old was taken to an area hospital.
Witnesses spoke to WCCO and described a panic scene after shots were heard, saying players cleared the field, the stadium was evacuated and medical personnel ran to the area of the shots.
"The commotion happened and two shots were fired - bam bam. And next thing you know one dude's on the ground, the other one's sitting over there holding his leg," said witness Donta Ellis. "It's kind of sad. You can't even go to a football game without getting shot."
Video from a Richfield High School livestream shows people running from the field after two possible gunshots.
No suspects have been identified or located, and the investigation is active, police said.
The Richfield Spartans were playing Bloomington Kennedy in a game that kicked off at 7 p.m.
Richfield school officials said there were extra safety precautions in place for the homecoming game, including separate home and visitor entrances. Only students with a student ID could get in and only Richfield students were allowed to sit on the home side.
Richfield High School officials announced that all weekend events will be canceled, including the homecoming dance.
"It is with a heavy heart that I write to you tonight," Principal Stacy Theien-Collins said in a Facebook post. "I am heartbroken by the violence that broke out at the homecoming game, which has deeply impacted our entire community."
Theien-Collins said the events are canceled to "ensure student safety and to allow us all a little room to breathe, reflect and heal."
