Emergency crews responded to reports of gunfire Sunday afternoon at Spooky Nook Sports while a basketball tournament was taking place. According to police, no witnesses can confirm seeing a gun or victims of gunfire.
READ MORE |Multiple people injured fleeing Spooky Nook Sports after fight broke out, police say
CBS 21 News spoke with witnesses and officials to get their point of view.
"It's believed and we've been told that there was a basketball game occurring and a fight ensued," said Diane Garber, Emergency Services Coordinator of East Hempfield Township. "From there, the facts are very sketchy."
Eyewitnesses Suzanne Jordan and Dreu Johnson said the scene was chaotic.
"There [were] big old guys jumping over my girls' team's chairs onto our court, and then I was like, 'what, is there a fight?' And then I looked around and there [were] hundreds of people running at the top speed," said Jordan. "All of a sudden, boom: all our girls ran to that place. I kind of just stuck behind the pillar and kept filming."
"You know, your first instinct is to run, but then you got to remember that we got kids and get them out the door," said Johnson.
According to authorities, six to eight people were treated by EMS and released on scene with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say six people were taken to nearby hospitals.
“There are tons of emergency exits, plenty of adequate doors for people to get out, but when you’re leaving a facility in chaos, kids, adults – it just is what it becomes," Garber said. "It’s not orderly, but everyone did exit the building quickly and effectively, and that, in the end, is what’s most important."
Spooky Nook Sports holds thousands of people at a time. So, how do they perform security checks with that many fans?
"When there's a tournament happening, our security team sets up a blockade at the front door, they check every bag and purse that comes in, and then we do have both armed and armed security in the building at all times," said Mackenzie Bender, the Director of Marketing for Spooky Nook Sports.
Bender shared her thoughts on how she thought this situation was handled.
"I think, you know, no one knows how they're going to handle this situation until it happens," Bender said. "But I have a lot of faith in our team, I have a lot of faith in our training program and the responsiveness of our staff."
But Johnson told us he felt more could have been done.
"In all honesty, it's just crazy because in a big event like this, you see...armed security in the parking lot, making sure people are paying for parking tickets," Johnson said. "But there's no metal detectors, the bag check was very, very limited.
The East Hempfield Police Department continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Chase at 717-898-3103.