3 arrested, guns recovered following fight at high school football game near Columbus

CANAL WINCHESTER — Three people were arrested, and guns were recovered following a fight at a high school football game near Columbus Friday night.

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Police officers on duty for the Canal Winchester and Groveport Madison football game broke up a fight and confiscated four guns from three individuals, a Canal Winchester Schools spokesperson told our news partner WBNS TV in Columbus.

None of the people arrested were students at either school and nobody was hurt.

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Drone footage from WBNS TV shows several police cars arriving at Canal Winchester High School.

Officials from both Canal Winchester and Groveport Madison released a statement to families regarding what happened Friday night.

“At this evening’s football game, Madison Township police arrested three individuals in possession of guns, ensuring the safety of all involved and without any complications.

The individuals arrested are not students at either school. It is both unacceptable and alarming for anyone to bring weapons to a high school football game; the safety of the students, staff, and spectators is our top priority.  

Officers on duty at the game enacted our safety plans to break up a fight shortly before 8 p.m. While removing the individuals involved from the stadium, officers and administrators noticed suspicious behavior from one of the individuals who was now outside of the stadium. Officers searched the individual and confiscated a concealed weapon. Officers immediately continued searching other individuals and confiscated weapons from two more people. Four guns were confiscated in total and all three individuals were arrested and taken into custody.  

Additional officers quickly responded to the stadium and determined that it would be safe to finish the game and then make sure all attendees left the stadium immediately when the game was over. Administrators from both schools and officers from Madison Township Police Department, Groveport Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office ensured the safety of all in attendance as crowds left the game.  

The events at tonight’s game are both scary and frustrating. Our students deserve to attend games with their friends and make memories without fearing for their safety. The Canal Winchester Local School District and Groveport Madison Local School District both condemn the actions of the few individuals who created this disturbance and showed incomprehensible disregard for the safety of our school communities.  

We are grateful to the officers who were at tonight’s game for their assistance, bravery, and quick response to ensure the safety of our students, families, staff, and communities. Over the past month, officers from Madison Township Police, Groveport Police, and Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office have collaborated with Canal Winchester and Groveport Madison administrators to proactively plan for the safety of our teams and fans at tonight’s game. Their commitment to putting safety measures in place before the game and quick execution of the safety response plan ensured that no one was injured during tonight’s game.  

As educational leaders, we want to assure you that our top priority is the safety of your children, as well as the staff, families, and residents who are part of our school community. Just as we have over the last year, we plan to continue to work together to make sure our students have the opportunity to safely enjoy their high school experiences like football games. We will share more information this week about our safety plans for the rest of the season and will continue to keep you updated about important safety matters at our schools.”

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News Center 7 previously reported shots were fired at Groveport Madison High School forcing people to evacuate.

Two people were detained, one was charged with second-degree improper discharge of a firearm and second-degree inducing panic.

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