Walters Issues Statement On Deadly Friday Night Shooting At High School Football Game

Oklahoma State Supt. Ryan Walters released a statement after a deadly shooting at an Oklahoma high school football game Friday night.

Last night’s events in Choctaw is tragic. Violence of any kind has no place at our school events, and anyone who would threaten our kids must be swiftly brought to justice.

OSDE stands ready to assist them with all available resources and I have spoken to Choctaw Superintendent David Reid and Mid-Del Superintendent Rick Cobb this morning to offer OSDE’s full support and assistance. 

I hope all Oklahomans will join my family and me in prayer for all those affected by senseless acts.

In a press release sent to media Saturday morning, Choctaw Police Chief Kelly Marshall confirmed that a 16-year-old boy had died. His name has not been released, but Marshall said he was neither a student at Choctaw High School nor at Del City High School. In all, there were five injuries due to the incident, police said, including two girls believed to be students who were hurt trying to escape the scene.

Choctaw Mayor Chad Allcox released a statement on Saturday stating,

Last night our community experienced a horrific tragedy at Bill Jensen Field during the Del City vs. Choctaw high school football game in Choctaw, Oklahoma. On behalf of the city of Choctaw, our hearts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed or injured, students, coaches, families and first responders and all those who had to experience such a horrific event.

Thank you to the first responders, coaches, parents, and students who put their lives on the line to prevent this tragedy from escalating further, and in cases used their own bodies to shield others. Thank you to the supporting agencies who quickly responded.

As our community continues to heal, I am confident we will become closer, stronger and even more resilient because of the amazing people in and around the community. #prayforchoctaw, #prayfordelcity, #strongertogether, #choctawstrong

During live coverage late Friday and early Saturday on News 9, a Del City parent talked to News 9's Deanne Stein about what she witnessed.

"(My daughter) called me and told me she and some other students were up under a bleacher, and all I could hear was just screaming and crying and yelling," said Christina Goodwin.

She said her daughter heard gunfire and that it sounded like people were shooting back and forth at each other before everybody took off running.

"I asked her if she was OK, and she said she was OK," Goodwin added.

She said that everybody there was "crying and scared," and it led Goodwin to prayer.

"I just started praying for her and them, and that God would watch over them," Goodwin said.