Friday night's high school football game between North College Hill and Cincinnati Country Day ended in disruption following nearby gunfire. Shots rang out from an apartment complex across the street from the stadium, sending players and fans into a state of alarm. The incident, captured in real-time during a live stream by ICRC TV, led to a swift evacuation by the North College Hill Police Department, who confirmed the shots around 9 p.m. on Bising Avenue, as Local12 reported.
While authorities disclosed no injuries, the game was abruptly halted during the third quarter. A police officer on the scene emphasized that, to the best of their knowledge, there were no victims from the gunfire, which occurred roughly 900 feet from the activity of the game. According to a WLWT witness report, the shots occurred around 8:55 p.m., causing players and spectators to duck for cover amidst the chaos.
In the wake of the incident, the officials canceled the remainder of the Friday night game. North College Hill High School's football game's premature end was dictated by an abundance of caution, prioritizing the safety of those present. Footage from the online game stream appeared to audibly capture the gunshots, corroborating the first-hand accounts of those who experienced the event.
Dennis Coyle, coach and athletic director from Cincinnati Country Day, expressed concern for his players' well-being following the event, declaring his top concern being "the mental health of my players," in an interview obtained by WCPO. With the game's status remaining uncertain yesterday afternoon, North College Hill coach Greg Conwell was relieved that all involved were unharmed and underscored the football program's commitment to positively reflecting the community. Coyle also mentioned contacting the Ohio High School Athletic Association for guidance on the game's status, adding, "I have emailed (OHSAA executive director) Doug Ute for guidance."
Police, who were able to locate a vehicle associated with the shooting subsequently, stated that it seemed to be an isolated incident, unconnected to the football game. As the investigation continues, North College Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist by calling 513-521-7171.
