Stagg-Oak Lawn Game Evacuated Due To Nearby Police Activity

PALOS HILLS, IL — The Stagg football stadium was evacuated during the Stagg-Oak Lawn game Friday evening, when a domestic disturbance possibly involving a gun occurred across the street, according to officials from both schools. The incident was not related to Stagg High School.

The events unfolded around 8:30 p.m., when school administrators were told to evacuate the stadium during the football game as a precautionary measure. Stagg staff quickly moved students, parents, spectators and staff into the building for security reasons, according to a message sent to families from principal Eric Olsen.

When Palos Hills police secured the scene across the street from the high school, everyone inside the building returned to the stadium for the rest of the game.

“Many thanks to the our amazing staff who helped guide everyone safely into the building. A very special thanks to Palos Hills PD and all of the law enforcement and first responders who kept our school and community safe,” Olsen said in a robo call. “Tonight is First Responders Night, and we witnessed why we are so lucky at Stagg High School to have such special people working every day serving and protecting our community. I want to also thank our guests from Oak Lawn High School who were so cooperative before, during and after this event.”

Oak Lawn Community High School Dist. 299 Supt. Michael Riordan told Patch that he was at home when OLCHS athletic director Jeremy Cryan called to say that the stadium had been evacuated and everyone was in the building.

“The athletic director said there was police activity nearby that involved a shooting,” Riordan said. “He was calling to let me know no one was hurt and everyone was orderly and cooperative.”
Riordan also praised Stagg’s security. “They did a good job.”

Palos Hills police could not be immediately reached for comment. The final score of the game was Oak Lawn, 40, Stagg, 20.