LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CelebrityAccess) — One of the biggest high school football games in Arkansas turned into a stampede after fans and players fled from War Memorial Stadium, fearing gunfire.
According to the Arkansas Times, more than 38,000 people were in attendance at the annual Salt Bowl on Saturday night when a fight during the third quarter sparked a panic.
A report by Little Rock Police and the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism released on Monday said that a stun gun was “dry fired” during the brawl, leading people to believe a gun had been fired. Fans then began passing concern about a firearm discharge verbally, through texts, and on social media, the report said.
Those fears were reinforced when metal barricades at the venue were knocked over, creating additional loud sounds similar to gunfire.
The Little Rock Police Department said that no gunshots were actually fired during the incident.
The report said that several people suffered minor injuries during the stampede, including one individual who received a lower leg injury from jumping over a wall and a second person who was trampled after falling down.
Those involved in the initial altercation have not been identified, however, the LRPD said that a female juvenile has been arrested for disorderly conduct.
Officials said that stadium security was also present at the game, in addition to school resource officers from Benton and Bryant police departments.
Police stated that bags were searched and entrants were wanded at entry into the stadium for the event.
Shane Broadway, Chairman for the Salt Bowl and Meg Matthews with Arkansas State Parks told Fox News that security changes are being considered the stadium, including a clear bag policy for all events, as well as anti-loitering patrols.
