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Shooting at football game between Mobile, Ala., high schools wounds 5

Oct. 18, 2021
A 19-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting, but police say the person believed to be the shooter is still at large.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in a shooting that wounded five people at a Mobile, Ala., high school football game.

Al.com reports that Jai Scott, 19, has been charged with five counts of attempted murder, but police say the person suspected of being the gunman remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous.

Three of the victims are juveniles from 15 to 17 years old, two are adults. Three have been treated and released from local hospitals; as of early Monday afternoon one was in stable condition and one in guarded condition.

The motive for the shooting has not yet been determined.

Police said gunfire erupted around 9:56 p.m. Friday during Vigor High's homecoming game against Williamson high schools at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The shooting occurred near a stadium exit ramp in the fourth quarter of the game. Fans dashed for the exits or lay flat on their stomachs to take cover.

Gwendolyn Crawford, Jakobe Crawford’s mother, told NBC 15 her son was shot five times.

One bullet hit his spine, she said, and is “affecting the feeling on his left side.” He was also hit in the chin and back with another bullet passing through a kidney.

The game was halted Friday night and completed Monday morning with no fans present.

As the investigation into the shooting continues, the Mobile school district has decided to move two football games later this week away from Land-Peebles Stadium.

Historically, a number of Mobile schools have used Ladd-Peebles for games. Security measures were increased following a shooting incident in 2019.

Some of those who attended Friday night's game have alleged that the security regime in place at the start of the game was dropped or softened later in the night. 

Police say the school system is responsible for overseeing gate security.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy | Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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