In the second quarter of Church Point football’s Week 7 away game at Ville Platte High School on Oct. 16, fans, players and students alike rushed off of the field after hearing gun shots from outside the stadium.
As first reported by WAFB, one person is dead and at least two others are injured. Authorities have not released any additional details about the identities of those involved or the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Battlin’ Bears held a 14-0 led over the Bulldogs in what was supposed to be a night of festivities as part of homecoming for Ville Platte. Game officials canceled the remainder of the game once the gunfire rang out with nine minutes left in the first half.
“One of my coaches actually told me like, "Hey, something’s going on over there and everybody’s starting to run,” Church Point coach Rob Pool said. “When their bench started moving, we went with them. So we went to our locker room and our administration was there to get our the cheerleaders and band members all on the bus back to Church Point.”
“The kids they didn’t really say much so I don’t know if they’re shook up or not but everybody’s fine. It’s just the world we live in now, you never know what can happen.”
With the game being suspended in the first half, it will go in the record book as no-contest for both Church Point and Ville Platte. The Battlin’ Bears will be back in action on Oct. 23 at home against Crowley.
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Church Point football's Week 7 game at Ville Platte suspended due to shooting