A number of boxing fans were injured during the Gervonta Davis vs Rolando Romero boxing event yesterday. The situation at the arena became tense after a rumor that an active shooter was inside the building.
Around 18,000 boxing fans attended the Barclays Center in New York to watch a lightweight boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero on May 28. The 27-year-old Davis successfully defended his WBA lightweight title, knocking out Romero in the 6th round.
Following the match, some fans believed they heard loud banging akin to shots fired. Soon the rumor of an active shooter being in the building spread like wildfire. With the recent mass shooting incidents in the US, the crowds was easily swayed
Ring Magazine reporter Ryan Songalia who was watching the event revealed a glimpse of the mess at the Barclays Center on his Twitter account. The reporter was among the people who didn’t hear the gunshot. He explained that he heard someone shouting saying that a shooter was on the premises.
“Scary moment as crowds pour back into Barclays Center, my fear was a shooting but those fears proved unfounded.” Songalia wrote in the caption.
Scary moment as crowds pour back into Barclays Center, my fear was a shooting but those fears proved unfounded. pic.twitter.com/pcBdfwWplt
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) May 29, 2022
“We were being yelled at that there was an active shooter and we had to huddle in a room and close the doors, I was so f****ng petrified man.” Songalia added.
“I wasn’t taking a chance, I got low and looked to exit out the other side. When I saw it calmed down I settled in and filed my story before packing up.”
I wasn’t taking a chance, I got low and looked to exit out the other side. When I saw it calmed down I settled in and filed my story before packing up
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) May 29, 2022
It was later revealed that the rumor was not true and there is no active shooter inside the building. The fans who were escaping the building immediately rushed back inside after learning it was actually safe inside.
Due to this incident, many fans were injured and sent to hospital according to a report from ESPN journalist Mike Coppinger
“NYPD detective Adam Navarro tells ESPN “there was no gun whatsoever.” Not sure what the sound was that scared so many people into thinking there was a gun fired.” Coppinger wrote.
“Detective Navarro of the NYPD tells ESPN 10 people with various injuries were transported to a hospital following a stampede outside Barclays Center following a “sound disturbance” but there were no shots fired and no arrests made.” Coppinger added.