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.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 18, 2021
[UPDATE 10:53 p.m. ET: Reports are that four people were shot outside Nationals ballpark.]
The Major League Baseball game in Washington, DC was halted at the middle of the sixth inning when a shooting was reported immediately outside the ballpark, with dozens of police and medical vehicles responding to the site, the Associated Press reports.
The San Diego Padres had just taken the field for the Washington Nationals turn at bat when they were recalled to the dugout and locker room as police cars were heard approaching the scene. Fans were escorted out of the stadium through the gates behind the center field fence. Some fans took cover in the Padres dugout as more sirens were heard by those inside the park.
After about five minutes, the scoreboard at the ballpark announced that there was an unspecified incident outside the stadium and asked fans to remain in their seats.
No details about the incident was available, but the team tweeted that the incident appeared to be over. The game was suspended and will be completed before Sunday’s planned game.
Hope everyone is safe at Nationals park. I heard a few loud bangs and then a mass exodus. View from my roof pic.twitter.com/MA1B7z83u2
— Jalen Drummond (@jalen_drummond) July 18, 2021