A high school football game suddenly turned deadly during the third quarter Friday night, when gun shots rang out from the visitor’s side of Choctaw High School stadium in Oklahoma.
Shortly after the shooting, authorities in Oklahoma received a message from the Dallas-based Uvalde Foundation for Kids.
“The Uvalde Foundation for Kids is a national nonprofit organization formed following the Uvalde Texas School shooting; announced Saturday morning, that it is offering a financial award for information leading to the apprehension of a suspect who fired shots at a Choctaw High School’s home football game Friday night at Bill Jensen Field,” said the message.
Law enforcement said a tall Black man wearing red sweatpants at the time of the incident has been identified as a person of interest in the shooting. Two guns and eight rounds were also recovered at the scene.
According to the Choctaw Police Department, a 16-year-old male was shot in the groin and died from his injuries. Additionally, a 42-year-old man was shot in the chest. As of Saturday afternoon, he was in stable condition in the ICU.
Police had not yet released the identities of the victims Saturday afternoon.
However, they said that the deceased teen was not a student at Choctaw High School nor at Del City High School, the school’s opponent during the Friday game. A Choctaw officer trained as an EMT performed life-saving efforts for the teen at the scene.
Authorities also said the victim in his 40s was transported to Oklahoma University Trauma and was in surgery for most of Friday night after the shooting. Choctaw Superintendent David Reid, Choctaw Safety Coordinator Steve Keiffer and his brother, a trauma surgeon, began life saving efforts on the 42-year-old at the scene.
“Investigators will release his name and speak with him when he is able,” said police. They also intend to speak with the teen’s family before releasing his name.
Other victims included a “young female” who was shot in her thigh and was already treated and released by Saturday afternoon. Two other female victims – believed to be students -- sustained broken wrists and legs while trying to leave the stadium.
Choctaw police believe an argument “between at least two males” led to the shooting. Per the department, a Del City Officer also discharged his firearm at the scene. An investigation into that discharge is expected, with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office serving as lead investigator.
There were two officers from Del City at the scene at the time of the incident, as well as seven Choctaw officers.
“The Choctaw Police Department is investigating the homicide and is being assisted by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office,” and “Del City Investigators are working in conjunction as well. The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office Technical Investigators responded to the scene and processed the evidence,” said the Choctaw department.
“In a stadium filled with spectators and students, someone knows something,” Daniel Chapin, National Director of Uvalde Foundation for Kids in the reward announcement. “Do the right thing & say something.”
Choctaw Police Department Chief Kelly Marshall said he agrees with Chapin and urges anyone with information about the tragedy to come forward. He also said that he has been in contact with School Superintendent David Reid and that counselling services will be offered to those who experienced the violent incident.
“We are determined to solve this senseless act and restore a sense of safety to our community,” said the chief. People can contact the department at (405) 769-3821.
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