[UPDATED] 4 shot outside Washington baseball stadium

WASHINGTON – Four people were shot outside a baseball stadium crowded with thousands of spectators in the United States capital yesterday, causing the game to be abruptly halted as attendees are ushered out.

Police said four individuals were shot, but there is “no ongoing threat”, without clarifying the condition of the victims.

The force tweeted that officers are “responding to a shooting... in which two people (were) shot outside of Nationals Park”, in the Navy Yard neighbourhood of southern Washington DC.

Shortly afterwards, it said “two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds”.

“This is currently an active investigation, and it appears there is no ongoing threat at this time.”

Two AFP journalists who were at the game said some spectators rushed for the exits after hearing the gunshots, while others remained in their seats at the announcer’s initial urging. 

Players rushed off the field and the game was halted after what sounded like a dozen or more shots from outside the stadium.

The lights of multiple police cars lit up the street and sirens could be heard, as the crowd attending the game between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres was then asked to leave.

Minutes after the incident, the Washington Nationals Twitter account posted that “a shooting has been reported outside of the Third Base Gate at Nationals Park”, and encouraged fans to exit the ballpark. – AFP, July 18, 2021