Shot Fired at Youth Football Game in Philadelphia's Roxborough Neighborhood

Police are investigating after a dispute involving a referee led to gunfire at a Saturday youth football game; no injuries were reported.

Philadelphia police are looking into an incident in which a dispute turned violent at a youth football game in the city's Roxborough section. Officers responded to the Al Pearlman Sports Complex, located on the 600 block of Port Royal Avenue, shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday.

According to police, witnesses reported that a conflict broke out between spectators and a game official, and a single shot was discharged. Parents of players told Action News that it was the referee who fired the shot into the air. Authorities confirmed that nobody was struck or hurt in the incident.

Coaches moved quickly to protect the children, according to parents. Daryl Butts, a Roxborough resident, said the coaches gathered the kids, brought them inside, and secured the doors, making certain everyone was safe before doing anything further.

As of Monday afternoon, police said no arrests had been made. Ahead of Monday's practice, parents met with coaches, and Joe Jacquinto of Roxborough described an action and safety plan intended to safeguard the players should a similar event occur. Parents said the measures include accounting for all players and potentially stationing a safety officer at games, while some also called for background checks on referees.

The president of the Roxborough Eagles Athletic Association declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation.