Padres-Nats Game Suspended After Shooting Outside DC Stadium
Jul 17, 2021, 8:20 PM | Updated: 8:31 pm
Sign on scoreboard after what is believed to be shots were heard outside the stadium during a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The game between the San Diego Padres and Washington was suspended in the sixth inning Saturday night after police said there was a shooting outside Nationals Park.
The Nationals hosted the Padres on Saturday, July 17.
Play was suspended at the bottom of the sixth inning due to an incident outside of Washington’s ball park.
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 Nationals announced that the contest would resume on Sunday, July 18.
Two people were shot, said Dustin Sternbeck, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesman. Investigators believe, based on preliminary information, that one of the victims was an employee at the stadium, he said.
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
Washington police later tweeted that “two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds.”
More than two dozen police cars, ambulances and fire engines were on the street outside the third base side of the stadium and a police helicopter hovered overhead.
Tonight's game has officially been suspended with the Padres leading the Nationals 8-4 in the middle of the 6th. It will be resumed tomorrow at 1:05 p.m., in advance of the originally scheduled series finale.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 18, 2021
The Padres had just taken the field for the bottom of the sixth when several loud pops were heard from the left field side of the ballpark.
Fans sitting in left field quickly began leaving through the center field gate. A short time later, fans along the first base side began briskly leaving their seats. Some fans crowded into the Padres’ dugout on the third base side for safety as sirens could be heard from outside the park.
ALERT: Shooting at N Street & South Capitol SW.
No lookout.
DO NOT TAKE ACTION. HAVE INFORMATION? CALL 202-727-9099/TEXT 50411.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 18, 2021
The Nationals then announced there had been an incident was outside the stadium and posted a message on the scoreboard telling fans to remain inside the stadium.
About 10 minutes later, the team tweeted: “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.”
The Padres led 8-4 when the game was halted. It will be resumed Sunday afternoon, followed by the regularly scheduled game.
