Cincinnati, Ohio – During a high school football match on Friday night, a student-athlete was hurt in a shooting incident. The game, which was between North College Hill High School and Woodward High School, was abruptly stopped before the end of the first half when gunfire erupted close to the stadium. It was confirmed by Cincinnati Public Schools that the injured individual was a student-athlete from Woodward.
The details about whether the student was part of the football team or involved in a different sport were not disclosed by the district.
“Cincinnati Public Schools recognizes this tragic event and our support remains with the student, their family, friends, and school community,” CPS said in its statement. “CPS’ Crisis Response Team will be on-site to provide support to students as they return to school Tuesday.”
For the second time this month, a football game at North College Hill was abruptly stopped because of a shooting incident nearby.
“Again, we have outside forces that have nothing to do with North College Hill City School District … creating a horrible situation, so I am saddened,” North College Hill Superintendent Eugene Blalock said following Friday’s shooting.
This was the first match at North College Hill since their game on September 6 against Cincinnati Country Day was interrupted by gunfire. Police reported that 10 shots were fired near an apartment complex across from the stadium.
The game was halted and the stadium evacuated as authorities responded. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the September 6 incident. The following two games were either canceled due to safety concerns from the opposing teams or rescheduled. Blalock mentioned that the crowd on Friday was “huge,” as the community rallied to show their support for the student-athletes, demonstrating their belief and appreciation for them.
“And to have this happen again, second football game … in a row in the community, we have to do a better job,” Blalock said.
Blalock said he believes this is “bigger than athletics”.
“Our students were playing their hearts out, they were winning the game, but now who’s gonna think about football?” Blalock said. “So now you have kids who are traumatized, and this is ongoing trauma. If I were a parent, to be perfectly honest, I don’t know if I would allow my child to come to another game.”
Blalock confirmed that Friday’s game will be the last game played on that field this year.
“I will not put somebody else’s life in jeopardy and I would hate to have another school feel like they’re doing something wrong by trying to keep their kids safe,” Blalock said.