Extensive security measures taken following shooting at Shawnee Sports Complex

DUNBAR, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The USYS Eastern Regional President’s Cup is a tournament involving 107 teams in West Virginia.

The Shawnee Sports Complex in Dunbar is the main facility for the two, along with Barboursville, where the games are also held.

Beth Noss, the program director, said safety information was sent to parents and staff underwent training after a shooting incident occurred near the complex about a month ago.

“Well, there are 107 teams and most of the teams have at least 15 kids,” Noss said. “We sent some information to our teams letting them know that all the gates will be open and that police will be on site. We are all here and alert and ready to do what we need to do to make sure everyone is safe.”

Parents and players ran off the field and took cover when gunshots were heard on the field during a baseball game in Shawnee.

Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango said extensive security measures have been taken.

“One of the things we’re doing for the upcoming USYS tournaments is we’re providing security on site. We’re going to have deputies there,” Salango said. “We’ve ordered emergency exit gates so people aren’t locked inside, but we can lock out people we don’t want in the facility. So we’re making a lot of changes. Our staff has gone through active shooter training.”

Salango said the security gates would be installed at each entrance within seven to 10 days.

“We’re going to host two major U.S. youth soccer tournaments together. In total, we’re going to raise about $32 million. The first is the President’s Cup, which starts on Friday and lasts about five days, and then just before July 4, we have what I call the Big Daddy Tournament, where 246 teams from 15 different states are coming to town. It’s going to be packed.”

Salango said the gates will be used during this tournament, but until then the gates of the complex will remain open during the President’s Cup.

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