VIRGINIA (Washington Insider Magazine) – Gunfire erupted on a middle school sports field in Virginia on Sunday, injuring at least 3 people for the 3rd time in 7 days that a shooting has happened near youth sports centers around the nation.
According to the Prince William County Police Department, the newest incident occurred near Benton Middle School in Manassas, Virginia, roughly 30 miles southwest of Alexandria, on Sunday morning.
The gunshots started during a youth flag football game, according to police. The shooting’s motives are being investigated.
According to ABC NEWS, 3 shooting victims were transferred to nearby hospitals, but their identities and condition were not instantly disclosed.
Although no arrests were made, police stated that the site had been secured.
Yesli Vega, the Prince William County Supervisor, issued a statement claiming her office was actively monitoring the situation.
Three days prior, roughly 2 dozen bullets were shot near a high school baseball match in Chicago, causing athletes on the ground to drop to the ground and many others to run for cover. On Friday, shortly after 5 p.m., a freshman baseball match between Marmion Academy and St. Rita High School the shooting occured.
According to the Chicago Police Department, no one was harmed in the incident, and police believe the gunshot came from a McDonald’s across the street where shooters were firing at a running car.
On April 25, a barrage of gunshots in North Charleston, South Carolina, disrupted a youth league baseball event. According to authorities, dozens of bullets were shot near Pepper Hill Park.
Athletes on the field were seen dropping to the ground with coaches, teammates, and fans taking shelter on cell phone footage.
According to North Charleston Police, no one was hurt in the gunshot. There have been no arrests.
Mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston issued a $10,000 prize for information resulting in the apprehension of the shooters.
According to a report issued last year by the gun violence prevention organization Everytown, between August 20 and September 25, 2021, at least 22 events involving weapons occurred in Little League matches, soccer games, and football matches in 14 states. A collegiate football match in Durham, North Carolina, on September 18, turned tragic after two individuals were fatally shot, according to authorities.
