Panic as three people shot during high school football match

A witness told police that two people wearing black ski masks fired the shots, The Toledo Blade reported. Photo / Supplied

Three people have been shot at a high school football match in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, local police have confirmed.

Gunshots echoed around the venue about 9.30pm local time during a football game between Whitmer High School and Central Catholic, prompting spectators in the stands to flee towards the exits.

Footage of the terrifying incident circulated on social media on Saturday, showing adults shielding their bodies over children in the stadium.

Toledo police lieutenant Paul Davis confirmed that two suspects were in custody, while the condition of the three victims is currently unknown.

Washington Local Schools later confirmed in a statement that one of the victims was a Whitmer High School student.

"An act of violence occurred outside the stadium at tonight's football game between Central Catholic and Whitmer," the statement read.

"At this time, we know that three people were shot, including two adults and one Whitmer student and were transported to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries.

"No guests were injured in the evacuation and we could not be prouder of our students, staff, Whitmer fans, and our guests from Central Catholic."

According to The Toledo Blade, two of the victims were taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital, while the third was rushed to Mercy Health St Vincent Medical Centre.

A witness told police that two people wearing black ski masks fired the shots, The Toledo Blade reported.

Gunshots were fired at Whitmer High School during a #football game vs #Toledo Central Catholic. pic.twitter.com/TfxQ6LXu9x

— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 8, 2022

This was the scene at the Central Catholic-Whitmer game when shots were fired outside the stadium. We've confirmed that 3 people have been shot. Conditions are still unknown. A really scary scene. pic.twitter.com/gjBpcacz9a

— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) October 8, 2022

#BREAKING The Central Catholic/Whitmer game has been put on pause following a shooting outside the stadium. From what I can tell, at least one woman has been shot. Stay with @WTOL11Toledo for updates. @JordanStrack pic.twitter.com/wUM0AqFuPG

— H. Tyler Seggerman (@TylerSeggerman) October 8, 2022

"We are deeply saddened that a fun rivalry tonight was disrupted by an act of violence in the streets surrounding our event," Washington Local Schools superintendent Kadee Anstadt said in a statement.

"What we know at this time is limited, and we will not speculate until further details are known.

"An event like this is every school district's worst nightmare, and we ask that you keep both Central and Whitmer in your thoughts as we attempt to figure out this atrocious act."