Postponed Football Game Finished After Gunshots Fired Nearby on Thanksgiving

Gunshots fired Thursday prompted officials to suspend a Thanksgiving high school football game in Bridgeport and the game was completed on Friday.

Bridgeport detectives are investigating gunshots fired near Boston and Central avenues in Bridgeport at about 11:15 a.m. The shooting happened near a football game between Warren Harding and Central high schools at Warren Harding's stadium, so officials postponed the remainder of the game.

The teams finished the game on Friday morning at 10 a.m., according to Brett Broesder, director of communications for the Bridgeport mayor's office.

"There was about 5 minutes left in the game, which was relocated from Harding to Central's stadium as an added safety measure by police," Broesder said. "The game was concluded without any issues. Harding beat Central 14-6, which marks the first time Harding has topped Central during their Thanksgiving Day match up in over 15 years."

Police have not found anyone who was injured or a victim, but are calling local hospitals to see if anyone was brought in for treatment. Officers found shell casings in the area.

The gunshots were not fired at the football game, police said.

Police believe the shooting was gang-related, according to the Associated Press, citing the Connecticut Post. Five shots were fired near the stadium and a bullet pierced a nearby car, the newspaper reported.

About 1,200 people, including Mayor Bill Finch and his four sons, attended the game and the gunfire sent fans fleeing toward Warren Harding High School while both teams retreated to their locker rooms, according to the Associated Press. Extra police units responded to help evacuate the stadium.

No arrests have been made at this time. The incident remains under investigation.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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