Saturday night’s game in Washington between the Nationals and Padres was suspended after a shooting took place outside the stadium.
The game was halted in the middle of the sixth inning. It will resume at 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday, followed by the regularly scheduled game.
Reporters covering the game tweeted that they heard what sounded like gunshots before the stoppage. Field microphones for the Nationals’ television and radio broadcasts picked up audio of what sounded like shots.
You can hear the gunfire over the radio broadcast for the Nationals.
What a horrifying night. I can’t imagine the families with kids and how scary this must have been. Even though the shooting was outside the stadium, it’s just awful. pic.twitter.com/dwYZmCQgHp
— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) July 18, 2021
As fans moved rapidly from their seats to stadium exits and other fans took cover in the stands, the stadium’s public address announcer told the sellout crowd that there was an incident outside and to remain in the park. The Nationals later announced the shooting took place outside the third-base gate at the stadium.
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
The park was cleared shortly after 10 p.m. ET.
Metropolitan Police in D.C. tweeted that officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1500 block of South Capitol Street SW, outside the stadium. Two people were shot and two other people “associated” with the shooting walked into area hospitals with gunshot wounds, police said.
The Washington Post reported (subscription required) that a woman was shot in the back and a man was shot in the leg, with police believing the two were wounded in the same incident. The Post also reported that all the gunshot wounds are believed to be non-life-threatening.
A video montage of the chaotic early moments:
Frightened Nationals fans took cover at the report of what *sounded like* shots at Nats ballpark. But staff are telling us the incident was outside the stadium, and they’re keeping everyone inside. People hid behind bar, toppled tables to hide. pic.twitter.com/bCAP2V3qyu
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) July 18, 2021
Padres players, including Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, ushered fans out of the stands and into the dugout and clubhouse for safety.
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 personnel did the same for fans in the first-base stands.
This article has been updated.