Girl killed in shooting after high school football game in Pennsylvania, per report

Tragedy took over the start of the high school football season in the Delaware Valley in Pennsylvania, when a girl was killed when shots were fired Friday night following a game.

The shooting happened at Academy Park High School in Sharon Hill following the Pennsbury opening night game against the Delaware County school.

A 7-year-old girl was shot and killed outside near the main gate of the Knights Park football field, and three were in custody shortly after the shooting, and weapons have been recovered, according to a report on 6ABC in Philadelphia. Three other juveniles were hurt, but their injuries were not considered to be life-threatning.

No players from either team were injured, and Pennsbury players were safely on their way back to Bucks County from the school in Sharon Hill shortly after the incident.

Pennsbury officials said coaches and parents were also uninjured when the gunfire erupted as people were exiting the game.

"Our coaches assisted at the scene administering first aid and directing our players to safety," an email from the district read late Friday night.

The email said the team was met by counselors and administrators upon their return to the Falls Township school. There they were reunited with their families.

A radio broadcast of the game from WBCB 1490 in Levittown, Pennsylvania captured the rapid fire as it ended its show. After announcing the score of 42-0, there is a brief pause and then multiple gunshots can be heard.

Video of the resulting chaos on the field, provided by a viewer to 6ABC, shows people running and others on the field laying down to take cover.

"This was a traumatic event for all involved and our counselors are available to provide assistance to our players," officials said.

Counseling will also be available Saturday morning for the team.

Delaware County authorities had not released information as of 11:30 a.m. An email to the district attorney's office Saturday morning had not be returned as the investigation continues in the small town just southwest of Philadelphia. Sharon Hill is about 35 miles and a 50 minute ride from Pennsbury in Fairless Hills.

According to tweets by Jack McCaffery of the Delaware County Times, the shooting occurred at the conclusion of the game.

The Pennsbury football players raced to the stadium's press box before being told by officials to put their helmets on and run to their bus.

"With coaches screaming, 'Helmets on, helmets on, helmets on,' the Falcons sprinted toward their team bus," McCaffrey reported.

Falls Police Chief Nelson Whitney said that he was notified about the shooting Friday night as the incident was unfolding. He said all Pennsbury players were safely on the bus and no students were injured.

Pennsbury officials said the coaching staff and players "performed admirably in a difficult situation."

Police from various departments and agencies responded to the field, creating a perimeter around it as the investigation began.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Girl killed in shooting after Pennsylvania high school football game