16-Year-Old Boy Killed in Shooting at High School Football Game in Choctaw, Oklahoma
A tragic incident unfolded on Friday night during a high school football game in Choctaw, Oklahoma, as a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed. Four others also suffered injuries in the shooting, according to authorities.
The Choctaw Police Department released a statement confirming the details of the incident. The teenager, whose name has not been released, was shot during the third quarter of a game between Choctaw High School and Del City High School. It is important to note that he was not a student at either of the schools participating in the game.
Authorities believe that an argument between at least two males escalated and resulted in the shooting. The shots were fired on the visitor’s side of the stadium. In addition to the tragic loss of the 16-year-old, a 42-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and underwent surgery at a hospital. Fortunately, he is now stable. A woman was shot in the thigh, and two other women, believed to be students, sustained broken wrists and a broken leg while trying to flee the area.
Tragic as it was, immediate efforts were made to save the injured. Choctaw Superintendent David Reid, Choctaw Safety Coordinator Steve Keiffer, and Keiffer’s brother, a trauma surgeon, began life-saving efforts on the 42-year-old man before he was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of officers, the 16-year-old boy did not survive.
Security measures were in place at the game, with the Choctaw School District employing five officers for every home game. Both on-duty and off-duty Choctaw officers, as well as Del City officers, were present at the time of the incident. The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office will lead the investigation into the shooting.
Further details emerged when authorities revealed that a Del City officer discharged his firearm at the scene. Two guns and eight rounds were recovered by authorities during the investigation.
Community members are reeling from the tragedy, and support is being offered to the victims and their families. As the investigation continues, it serves as a grim reminder of the need for increased security measures and the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully.