Photo by H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Staff [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Stadium workers immediately instructed fans to stay inside the stadium, as Matt Weyrich of NBCSports Washington reported.
Fans at the #Nationals/Padres game are asked to remain in the stadium due to an action outside Nats Park. Have seen multiple tweets of reports of a active shooter outside of the stadium pic.twitter.com/iCCjrgypKm
— Mismatch (@MismatchSports) July 18, 2021
Hugo Lowell of Guardian US reported that one person was shot outside Nationals Park, and later reported a second.
“One woman who was shot was briefly treated in by first responders in the stadium,” Lowell wrote in a tweet. He reported that the woman was wheeled out on a gurney through the third base gate.
The game was subsequently called. The Padres were beating the Nationals 8-4 in the sixth inning. The Nationals released a statement, saying “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. We’re working with law enforcement to provide more information as soon as it becomes available.”
Shots fired outside Nationals Park. Many people, including Nationals SP Patrick Corbin, fled for the concourse. Many have taken shelter in bathrooms or suites. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/BephZ0kBVO
— Nick Leimbach (@nleimbach) July 18, 2021
Gunshots can be heard in the distance in this video.
Andrew Golden of the Washington Post tweeted that Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado opened the gate to help fans toward the dugout.
A thread from the DC Police Department on their response to the reports:
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
