Nationals game shooting causes chaos inside stadium

Chaos erupted during Saturday night’s baseball game at Nationals Park after gunshots were heard outside the Washington, DC, stadium.

The DC Police Department said on Twitter that two people had been shot outside the ballpark, adding there was “no ongoing threat.”

“As a result of the shooting incident, tonight’s @Nationals game has been suspended,” cops wrote.

Several loud pops were heard from the far left field just as the San Diego Padres had taken the field for the bottom of the sixth inning.

Fans could be seen taking cover under their seats as helicopters circled the ballpark, footage tweeted by WBRZ-TV reporter Dana DiPiazza showed.

Police sirens blared as several in the crowd began to stream out of the ballpark.

Footage taken from a nearby rooftop showed a frantic mass evacuation of the stadium, which is in the city’s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.

The home team confirmed reports of a shooting outside the Third Base Gate.

The scoreboard displays a message to fans during a stoppage in play due to an incident near the ballpark in the sixth inning of a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Washington.
The Washington Nationals scoreboard displays a message to fans during a stoppage in play during the July 17, 2021, game against the San Diego Padres.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Spectators take cover during a stoppage in play due to an incident near the ballpark during the sixth inning of a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Washington.
Spectators take cover during the chaos.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Spectators leave the stadium after an incident near the ballpark during the sixth inning of a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Washington.
Spectators leave the stadium after the shooting incident.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Fans pour out onto the field after hearing gunfire from outside the stadium, during a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington on Saturday, July 17, 2021.
Fans pour onto the field after hearing gunfire outside Nationals Park in Washington on July 17, 2021.
John McDonnell/The Washington Post via AP

“Fans are encouraged to exit the ballpark via the CF and RF gates at this time,” the team tweeted at 9:47 p.m.

“We’re working with law enforcement to provide more information as soon as it becomes available.”

The game was halted in the sixth inning with San Diego leading the Nats 8-4.

With Post wires

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