Raleigh police are investigating multiple fights that broke out into shots being fired after a Wake County high school football game.
On Friday night, police were called to Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School for reports of multiple fights and shots fired.
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When police arrived, the people involved fled the scene, and officers said they were unable to identify anyone involved.
Police said there were no injuries reported, and no arrests have been made.
In a reportedly separate incident from these fights, the high school also ended the event early out of caution after fans in the crowd began to rush the field.
Gilda Brisbon lives less than a mile away from the high school and told WRAL News she saw what seemed like 40 police cars racing down her street toward the school.
Though she wasn’t at the game on Friday night, she said her friend’s daughter was there.
“The young lady said never in my 14 years have I heard my daughter scream like that,” Brisbon said. “And when she said that, it just sent chills through my body.”
Community activist Diana Powell was at the game and said she heard the gunshots when they went off.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that a child cannot come to a football game to enjoy themselves and then find themselves in the middle of a shooting,” Powell said.
Both Powell and Brisbon said the school, parents and local leaders need to do something to prevent incidents like this from happening in the first place.
“Have a conversation with your children, especially those who were here last night,” Powell said.
On Saturday, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School principal George Harden shared with parents following Friday’s events.
The message read in part:
“Following the event, multiple fights broke out in the parking lot, and an individual discharged a firearm. Law enforcement officers, WCPSS Security, and school administrators responded and cleared the campus. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made.”
Harden said the school is working with Wake County Public Schools System security and law enforcement to investigate Friday’s incident.
Once the investigation is completed, Harden said any WCPSS students who were involved will be disciplined per Board policy, as well as per North Carolina General Statute § 14‑269.2, which states that possessing or carrying a weapon on educational property is a criminal offense that can result in serious legal consequences.
“While this event included athletes and fans from seven schools in our area, our expectations for the Bulldog students and families remain the same. The expectation to exhibit P.R.I.D.E. remains. Students and fans are to model Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence to proudly represent our school before, during, and after all events,” the statement continued.