Lakewood-Gibbs game called after gunshots fired

Next Image > < Previous Image

Photo by Nick Walter

The Lakewood High football team sits Friday after about a dozen shots fired on nearby 16th Street stopped Lakewood's game against Gibbs with 4:52 remaining.

Photo by Nick Walter

Lakewood High School women's basketball coach and reading teacher Necole Tunsil directs fans at Lakewood out of the stadium after shots rang out on nearby 16th Street during the Lakewood versus Gibbs football game Friday. "We already knew something was going to happen," Tunsil said.

By NICK WALTER/TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT | Tbo.com
Published: September 03, 2010

ST. PETERSBURG --

Gunshots fired just outside the Lakewood High School football stadium Friday night stopped the Spartans' game with Gibbs High in the fourth quarter.

Lakewood was leading 32-12 when someone fired about a dozen shots on 16th Street, just outside the stadium, according to St. Petersburg Police Sgt. Phil Brewer.

Brewer said a witness told him that one man fired shots into the air and headed westbound on 16th Street, possibly in a vehicle. As of 10:30 p.m. Friday, Brewer said no one had been injured.

"We already had a few extra units at 16th Street where people leave the stadium," Brewer said.

An assistant principal announced the cancellation over the stadium's loudspeaker.

Fans said they heard gunshots at the southwest end of the stadium.

Tribune reporter Thomas Brennan contributed to this report.