Oakland Police and Athletics said four fans were injured by shrapnel from outside the Colosseum

OAKLAND, CA – Four baseball fans were injured by bullet shrapnel from outside the Colosseum while attending a fireworks display on July 4, Oakland Police and Athletics said Tuesday.

Police and officers said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

As the A’s 5-1 win over the Blue Jays only lasted 2 hours and 27 minutes, it wasn’t dark enough to start the fireworks display. Fans of a crowd of 24,403 were allowed into the stadium after 9pm local time.

Auckland Police Department [OPD] Investigate firearm-related injuries that occurred on July 4, 2022, after 9:30 p.m., at Building 7000 by Colosseum Road,” police and police personnel said in a joint statement.

Police were initially notified of a potential victim being shot inside the stadium, and three fans were located who were hit by shrapnel from “what appears to be a festive shooting that occurred across the city of Auckland,” the statement said. Another victim was hospitalized.

“I think if it wasn’t the 4th of July, that would be more worrying. Anytime during the 4th of July, I can remember that growth, it’s never been safe but people tend to do things that are not out of the ordinary,” said Mark Kotsai, Director A works before resuming the series on Tuesday evening. “This is shooting weapons into the air in terms of celebration. It’s really unfortunate that it happened here in the Colosseum and there were people injured. I know we’ve reached out to those people.”

The investigation is still ongoing, and the Auckland Police Department and Auckland Crime Squads have offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest or arrest.

Police reiterated their joint efforts with team security and first team security to keep everyone attending matches on the field safe.

“From a safety point of view, I think the runway is a safe environment,” Kotsai said. “It’s a pity that on holiday with fireworks showing people are injured.”