Padres vs. Nationals Game Suspended After Shooting Outside Stadium

Blake SchusterContributor IJuly 18, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 18: Center Field entrance of Nationals Park before a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants, on April 18, 2019 at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C.
(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Saturday's game between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres was suspended in the sixth inning as emergency services respond to a shooting just outside Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

The Nationals tweeted that a shooting had been reported outside the Third Base Gate. Fans were being asked to exit the stadium through center-field and right-field gates.

Washington Nationals @Nationals
A shooting has been reported outside of the Third Base Gate at Nationals Park. <br><br>Fans are encouraged to exit the ballpark via the CF and RF gates at this time.<br><br>We're working with law enforcement to provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

Following the top of the sixth inning, the sound of gunshots sent players and fans scrambling. Multiple Padres players were seen running into the stands to usher family members into the clubhouse and away from the field.

Kevin Acee @sdutKevinAcee
Players, including Fernando Tatis Jr. Just ran into stands and grabbed family members and brought them to clubhouse. <a href="https://t.co/DlC1bSv3I7">pic.twitter.com/DlC1bSv3I7</a>

Mark Zuckerman @MarkZuckerman
The field has been cleared and some fans are running out the left field concourse toward the exit after what sounded like several gun shots shortly after the top of the 6th ended. Don't know for sure that's what it was, but it certainly sounded like it.

Fans were initially asked to remain inside the stadium before further details were made available.

District police confirmed multiple people were shot outside the stadium and said there appeared to be no further threat to the area.

DC Police Department @DCPoliceDept
Two additional victims associated with this incident walked into area hospitals for treatment of gunshot wounds. MPD is on scene and actively investigating at this time.

San Diego Padres @Padres
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident outside of Nationals Park. <a href="https://t.co/rcvIrSjfns">https://t.co/rcvIrSjfns</a>

Video posted to social media from around the stadium shows a number of fans creating barricades with tables, while others were seen attempting to direct people toward safer areas. A number of those inside the stadium were spotted running to the center-field exits, while some sought refuge in the dugouts.

Chris Martin @cmgolfr212
This was the scene in the Padres dugout <a href="https://t.co/LZTF9IQrgv">pic.twitter.com/LZTF9IQrgv</a>

Jim Lokay @LokayFOX5
Breaking situation unfolding outside of Nats Park. We have calls into MPD and have a crew en route. Stay with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FOX5DC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FOX5DC</a> for more. <a href="https://t.co/Xq3PCkPUJm">pic.twitter.com/Xq3PCkPUJm</a>

Ted Starkey @TedStarkey
Scene inside Nats Park: <a href="https://t.co/O4jEh7mLqw">pic.twitter.com/O4jEh7mLqw</a>

Jennifer Jacobs @JenniferJJacobs
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. <a href="https://t.co/bCAP2V3qyu">pic.twitter.com/bCAP2V3qyu</a>

Saturday's game will resume at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday with the day's scheduled contest set to begin after a 25-45 minute intermission.