Fireworks mistaken as gunshots cause panic at Apopka-Tampa Bay Tech preseason game
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This post will be updated with more information.
Fireworks mistaken for multiple gunshots caused panic at a Florida high school preseason football game between visiting Apopka and Tampa Bay Tech, Friday night in Tampa, according to multiple sources.
The host Titans were up 35-7 over the Blue Darters before play was suspended indefinitely when a smoke bomb was thrown and the firework sounds that were mistaken to being gunshots, rang out from the parking lot area.
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Per one eyewitness account of the scene at Tampa Bay Technical High School, players, fans and students ran from the bleachers toward the exits after the disturbance. A video posted to social media even shows Apopka players and coaches taking cover by laying face down on the turf field. Soon thereafter, the stadium was evacuated and the game was stopped.
Alright so I do not have video of the Smoke bomb that nearly caused a stampede and I don't have the first gun shot on record but I *think* I have the potentially second shot around the 5 second mark. Scary stuff, the Apopka stands and players cleared quickly, those of us on.... pic.twitter.com/lxa3eFuoDH
— Central Florida High School Football Recruiting (@football305407) August 17, 2024
Your final score tonight is
— Central Florida High School Football Recruiting (@football305407) August 17, 2024
Tampa Bay Tech 35
Apopka 7
It's sad but this game got suspended first a bomb, but there was gun shots that just rang out in the parking lot. Very sad this is not acceptable, Apopka players ran to the bus@Andy_Villamarzo @JMarkG1962 @JCCarnz pic.twitter.com/VixvvA7ozf
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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl