The Washington County Sheriff’s Department has announced that a 14-year old child has been arrested in connection with the shooting disturbance that occurred during the football game between Leland and O’Bannon Friday night at O'Bannon High School. The gunfire occurred outside of the stadium during the third quarter of the game and there were no victims.
“The Washington County sheriff department did arrest a 14-year-old subject who was believed to be a part of the shooting disturbance. Also we can safely report that the suspect was neither a student at either school so this was not a direct retaliation on the rivalry between Leland and O’Bannon like it has been rumored. So we certainly want the public to know that but the case is still under investigation and we will and plan to have warrants for all parties involved,” said Washington County Chief Sheriff Deputy Billy Barber.
Leland head coach Johnny Bley described Friday’s incident as pure chaos. While fans in the stadium scattered to find cover, Bley and his players and coaches lied down on the field and waited for the shooting to end.
Members of the Leland dance team were taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion.
Said Coach Bley, “The shooting started with about 20 to 30 shots that went on for like two minutes. They appeared to be coming from the parking lot or Reed Road outside of the campus. At first, everyone scattered and we hit the ground. After another 30 seconds and another round of fire, we made our way behind a concrete building. We waited behind the building for 20 or 30 minutes before we got the clear it was safe.
O’Bannon was leading the game 13-6 when the shootings occurred at the 3-minute mark of the third quarter.
Bley said his team has no intention of resuming the game.
