LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — There was a scare at Friday night's football game between Frederick Douglass and Bryan Station when a group of kids running sparked a rumor of shots fired.
Frederick Douglass Principal Lester Diaz told LEX 18's Katherine Collins that a group of about 10 middle school students started running, which caused a chain reaction where others started to run from the stands, and people got on the ground.
Diaz said that the group of middle schoolers were found and asked to leave the game. He said that the football game continued after.
Many at the game said they thought they heard gunshots, but police said that no shots were fired at the game. The situation was handled by school officers.
Lisa Deffendall, director of communications and community relations for Fayette County Public Schools, sent out this statement:
"The fourth quarter of the football game between Frederick Douglass and Bryan Station high school football this evening was interrupted when frightened fans believed someone had a gun at the game.
According to initial reports, an unaccompanied younger student sitting on the Douglass side of the stands shouted that someone had a gun. In response, some fans in the nearby area ran out of the stadium, while others laid down in the bleachers. The game stopped for a brief period while players also got down on the field.
We are actively investigating to determine those responsible for inciting this panic. At this time we have found no evidence that there was a gun present. Although we have seen social media postings to the contrary, none of the police officers, adult chaperones, or administrators at the game heard the sound of shots or firecrackers.
We are thankful that no one was injured. We will be examining our policies and practices to ensure the safety of everyone who gathers to cheer on our student athletes, which may include limitations on unaccompanied minors at games."
Video sent in to the LEX 18 newsroom by viewer Kelly Hobbs shows people at the game running, as you can hear people ask if there was a shooting. Players on the field could be seen dropping to their stomachs.
