Broward County schools say they are stepping up security at football games following two violent incidents at a school in Palm Beach County and another in Jacksonville.
The triple shooting at a high school football game in Jacksonville Friday night left one teenager dead and two others injured. Police are now searching for the shooter.
“During the game, there were some disturbances, some fights that took place as the game was winding to a close, so we’ll be investigating whether or not that factored into it,” said a Jacksonville police officer.
Just a week ago, a similar scene at Palm Beach Central High School football game. Scared students scattered as officers responded to an altercation that escalated to gunfire and two victims shot.
“For somebody to come and just shoot you, and not even care that people’s children are here,” said one concerned mother.
The gunfire is leading to heightened security for crowds attending football games at Broward County schools. Educators say from now on, fans are only allowed to carry clear or small handbags past the gate. Once someone leaves the game, they cannot get back in. No tickets will be sold after the start of the fourth quarter. Students who plan on attending an evening or home game must leave campus by 4:50 p.m. and cannot return until 30 minutes prior to the start of the game.
The new restrictions will hopefully prevent any further shootings during high school football games.
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“These are innocent children. This is somebody’s baby,” said a concerned parent.
School officials also want parents to understand that there is no student supervision past 30 minutes after an event has ended.
