AUCKLAND, California – Four baseball fans were injured when bullets exploded outside the Coliseum while attending a July 4 fireworks show, Auckland Police and Athletics said Tuesday.
Police A&A said no injuries were fatal.
A’s 5-1 win over the Blue Jays lasted just 2 hours, 27 minutes, before it was too late for the fireworks to start. 24,403 season-high crowd fans were allowed on the playground after 9 p.m., local time.
“The Auckland Police Department (OPD) is investigating gun-related injuries in the 7000 block of Coliseum Way after 9:30 pm on July 4, 2022,” Police and A said in a joint statement.
The statement said police were initially notified of a possible shooting at the ballpark and officers shot three fans who appeared to be “from a shooting at a festival taking place in downtown Oakland.” An additional victim went to the hospital.
“It simply came to our notice then. Sometime during the 4th of July, I remember it’s getting bigger, it’s never safe, but people do things that aren’t normal, “the series resumed on Tuesday night,” said Mark Kotse, A’s manager. Weapons are being turned over. It’s really unfortunate that this happened in our Coliseum here and people were injured. I know we’ve reached those people. “
The investigation is ongoing, and the Oakland Police Department and Oakland Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to 20,000 for the arrest.
Police reiterated their joint efforts with A and team security to keep everyone involved in the game safe.
“From a safety standpoint, I think the Coliseum is a safe environment,” Cotse said. “It’s just unfortunate that people were injured by the fireworks display on the holiday.”