Police Look For 'Persons Of Interest' In HS Football Game Shootings

NEWBURGH, NY — A shooting at a high school football game had police, who were already on the scene, rushing gunshot victims to St. Luke's Hospital in squad cars.

UPDATE: The City of Newburgh Police Department has released a photo of the persons of interest wanted in connection with the shootings at a Newburgh Free Academy football game. If you have any information about the identity of these two people pictured, contact the City of Newburgh Detective Division at 845-569-7509.

Three City of Newburgh residents were shot after a football game Friday night, around 9:35 p.m., at Newburgh Free Academy, according to police. The high school's football team was playing against Warwick Valley High School.

A fight broke out in the parking lot after the game and at least five shots were fired, according to police. All three people shot are expected to survive. No arrests have yet been made.

"Officers were on scene," Newburgh Chief of Police Anthony Geraci said during a press conference Friday night. "There was approximately 2,000 spectators here. And a fight broke out in the North parking lot. Soon as this fight broke out, there was five shots fired, at least. Officers heard the shots fired, responded immediately to the scene, located three gunshot victims. One was a 43-year-old female who was shot in the foot, 19-year-old female who was shot in the thigh and a 21-year-old male who was shot in the ankle."

Geraci said it was fortunate that there was no loss of life.

"None of those injuries are non-life-threatening," Geraci told reporters. "Our officers did render aid, applying a tourniquet to one of the victims and transporting two of the victims to the hospital in their police cars."

Geraci said the shootings are a "very active" investigation. Between law enforcement, emergency management and EMS, the police chief said there were 17 agencies on the scene assisting with the investigation.

"There's no danger to the public, to this neighborhood, or the greater area of Newburgh," Geraci said. "We feel this was an isolated incident and there were people being targeted in that group. I can't say that the victims who were shot were those being targeted ... We're poring through video evidence, cellphone footage, eyewitness accounts and obviously the victims at the hospital so there's a lot of information coming in but there's no danger to the public."

Friday night's shooting followed the gun violence that took place in Newburgh on Thursday that cost a 29-year-old man his life and sent a 5-year-old boy to the hospital.

When asked about the two incidents that happened over two days, Geraci said "It's unacceptable. We're fed up with the gun violence in this community. The trauma that is being inflicted upon our youth in this community has to stop and it has to stop with all of us as one community."

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District said it would be making counselors available for students and families.

"This evening there was a shooting incident on the ground on one of our high school campuses, outside of the security perimeter for an event taking place," the district said in a statement released Friday night. "We are thankful for the quick and thorough response of our local law enforcement agencies and security personnel. At this time, there is limited information that we can provide as we wait for a thorough investigation to be conducted. Our Critical Stress Management (CISM) Team is preparing to help students and famiies who may need support during this time."

The district urged students to cooperate with law enforcement.

"The violence in our community will not end unless we each take a stand against it," school district officials said.

In a more recent message posted today, the school district wrote: "All activities at NFA main campus for today, Saturday October 1st are canceled."

Meanwhile, school officials in Warwick, which also had teams at the event, assured parents that students would not be returning to Newburgh any time soon.

"Fortunately, our football and cheerleading teams arrived home safely in Warwick a little more than an hour ago," school officials wrote Friday night. "This evening's events were certainly alarming. Please be aware that until further notice, the Warwick Central School District will not be taking part in any sport or extracurricular activities in Newburgh. Our thoughts remain with all those impacted by this evening's events."

Anyone with information about the Friday night shooting is asked to contact the City of Newburgh Detective Division at 845-569-7509. Callers can remain anonymous.

SEE ALSO:

• Man Dead, 5-Year-Old Shot In Newburgh Gun Violence
• 18-Year-Old Accused In Fatal Stabbing After Football Game
• Stabbing At Spring Valley High School Leaves 3 Students Injured