The Palm Beach County (Fla.) school district is revamping its security procedure for stadium events in the aftermath of a shooting over the weekend at a high school football game that left two men wounded.
"The district is reviewing all procedures for after-hours school events to ensure safety of students, staff and guests," the district said in a statement Monday.
The Palm Beach Post reports that two men—neither of whom is a student—were shot and wounded Friday night during a football game at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington. The gunfire sent players and fans screaming and stampeding in a panic.
A helicopter later landed on the field where a man was being treated.
Police say both victims remain hospitalized, and one is in critical condition.
No one was in custody.
Investigators say the shooting occurred near the stadium's ticket booth, which is close to the stadium entrance. At least one of the victims was targeted in the shooting.
Authorities say that even though the incident took place at a school event, it wasn't being considered a "school shooting."
“The people that were involved in the shooting were looking for these two individuals,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. “Now, they had some information that they very well might be at the football game, but they could have been at a bowling alley."
Palm Beach Central High and Dwyer High were meeting Friday night for the Kickoff Classic, a preseason showcase of two teams considered contenders for the state championship.
The shooting occurred with about eight minutes left in the game.
Among the security changes that the Palm Beach district is putting in place:
•Beginning with this week’s football games, only clear bags will be allowed into any high school stadium. The only exception will be diaper bags. All bags will be subject to search.
•No one will be allowed into games after the third quarter kickoff, and there will be no re-entry at any point during the game should an individual leave the stadium before the game is over.
•Loitering is prohibited outside stadium gates or in parking lots before, during or after a game. Once spectators leave a game, they must leave the school campus.
•All schools will schedule home games at 6 p.m. whenever possible for the rest of the football season.
