Teen dead, others injured in shooting at Oklahoma high school football game, police say

Hallie Hart, Jack Money, Cheyenne Derksen and JaNae Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK
Updated ·2 min read
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CHOCTAW, Okla. — One person is dead and several injured after a shooting at a high school football game in the Oklahoma City metro Friday night, local police confirmed Saturday.

The shooting occurred in the third quarter between Del City and Choctaw on Friday night. Multiple gunshots were heard throughout the stadium, and players and officials ran off the field, while others lay down on the field and in the stands.

Choctaw Police Chief Kelly Marshall said early Saturday that shots were fired by an unknown number of individuals at the game, and at least one shot during the exchange was fired by an off-duty Del City police officer.

Marshall confirmed a 16-year-old boy had died from a gunshot wound to the groin, sustained in the incident. The young man was not a student of Choctaw or Del City high schools, according to Marshall.

Fans clear out of Choctaw Stadium after gun shots rang out during a high school football game against Del City in Choctaw, Okla. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
Fans clear out of Choctaw Stadium after gun shots rang out during a high school football game against Del City in Choctaw, Okla. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

In a Saturday press release, Marshall said officials "believed an argument started between at least two males which lead to the shooting."

Several additional victims were taken to area hospitals.

  • A 42-year-old man was transported the hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest and is in the ICU in stable condition, according to police.

  • A 15-year-old girl, shot in the thigh, was treated and released.

  • Two other females, believed to be students were injured trying to leave the area sustaining broken wrists and a broken leg, Marshall said.

People gather around as police attend to a person after gun shots rang out during a high school football game between Del City and Choctaw in Choctaw, Okla. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
People gather around as police attend to a person after gun shots rang out during a high school football game between Del City and Choctaw in Choctaw, Okla. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

Police have not released the identities of any of the victims.

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department is assisting Choctaw Police with the investigation into the shooting, now a homicide, according to officials.

Investigators recovered two guns and eight rounds at the scene and are seeking a person of interest in the case, though no suspects are in custody at this time.

Emergency vehicles arrive to take control of the situation at Choctaw High School where a shooting occurred on the Del City side of the stadium Friday, August 25, 2023. Alonzo Adams for The Oklahoman
Emergency vehicles arrive to take control of the situation at Choctaw High School where a shooting occurred on the Del City side of the stadium Friday, August 25, 2023. Alonzo Adams for The Oklahoman

David Reid, Superintendent of Choctaw-Nicoma Park and Dr. Rick Cobb, Superintendent of Mid-Del released a joint statement:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by tonight’s incident. Both districts are working jointly with the police presence from Choctaw, Del City, and Oklahoma County in an ongoing investigation. The police will provide further details as they become available."

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association released a statement Saturday morning:

"The OSSAA is deeply saddened and concerned with the shootings that took place last night at high school football games in Oklahoma. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was in attendance. We have offered our assistance and support to all the schools involved as they continue to gather details."

People are in shock after hearing multiple gun shots during a high school football game between Del City and Choctaw in Choctaw, Okla. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
People are in shock after hearing multiple gun shots during a high school football game between Del City and Choctaw in Choctaw, Okla. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teen killed in Oklahoman high school football shooting, police say