AUBURN, Wash. — What started as a Sunday game of America’s pastime turned terrifying for players and parents in Auburn when there was a shooting at a park close to the ball field where youth teams from Puyallup and Arlington were playing.
Someone with the team used the GameChanger app to livestream the game on the evening of May 19. Just before 8:15 p.m. during the last inning of the game, the sound of gunshots took over.
"It was kind of a moment of confusion, everybody looking around wondering what that is, then kind of realizing that it is gunshots, people running off the field, hitting the turf,” Derek Jennings described. Jennings is the owner of New Level Baseball and shared the video with KING 5.
The team’s coach, Justin Gonzalez, said they were at bat when suddenly the players had to run for cover.
"I noticed there were five to six kids laying on the 9-year-old bat boy to make sure he didn't get hit with anything.” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez added that it sounded like they were in the middle of gunfire.
"This is extremely alarming. We want our parks to be safe places for people to go. We want people to go to their sons' and daughters' baseball and softball games and be able to enjoy their time without any fear,” said Kolby Crossley with Auburn Police.
Crossley said the sound on the ball field came from across the river at Isaac Evans Park where two groups were fighting. At least one person started shooting. Two females were injured, according to police.
"Why are our kids in this environment? Why are they put into this situation,” Jennings asked.
The teams rent field space from the City of Auburn. Jennings said the shooting is the latest on a list off safety concerns. He said he has seen evidence of “drug use in bathrooms and needles all over the field." He wants more done to address that kind of illegal activity.
After what happened last night, the team's future on this field is unclear.
"I think that those kids and those parents have been through a traumatic environment and situation. They may never want to go back there again,” said Jennings.
Auburn police said the two people injured do not have life threatening injuries. Investigators encourage anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Auburn PD tip line at 253-288-7403.
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