Incident at Spooky Nook causes chaos, 12 injured

Megan Talley and Daniel Hamburg

5 mins ago

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Confusion and chaos reigned at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Manheim, Lancaster County, on Sunday after a fight on the basketball court occurred, police said.

Twelve people were reportedly injured as seventh and eighth graders from across the Northeast were participating in a two-day basketball tournament at the time.

“I was quite disappointed with the security of the event. They didn’t show up until about halfway through the second fight and I think their presence would have helped calm the situation down much quicker,” said one witness.

At that moment, people started running because they thought there was a shooting at the sports complex.

“I turned around because I heard some screams coming from the neighboring yard against the wall. Children were running in all directions. A child ran past me and I asked what happened and he said someone had a gun,” they added.

Ambulances, police and firefighters immediately surrounded the facility. However, authorities have no confirmation that shots were fired in the building or that a weapon was used.

“As soon as we saw the facility being evacuated, police officers from the public safety training center came to find out what was going on. So there was an immediate response. It was an appropriate response,” said Diane Garber, emergency services coordinator for East Hempfield Township.