According to the Star Gazette out of Elmira, NY, authorities from the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office are seeking a suspect who fired a handgun during an unsanctioned MMA event in the town of Southport.
That outlet reported that the incident took place at a residence on Plymouth Ave., where the homeowners had built a makeshift fighting ring in their backyard. It is believed between 100 and 200 people came to the residence to watch fights on Saturday night.
Authorities said they are unsure if attendees were practicing proper social distancing, as mandated by New York state law in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 32,000 New Yorkers. However, face masks were reportedly available for those in attendance.
Investigators have stated that, at some point during the night, someone fired at least five rounds from a .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun. There are no official reports of anyone being struck by gunfire at the event.
However, investigators said they have received unconfirmed reports that several people were injured while fleeing the area once the shooting began.
Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom said that no suspects have been identified and asked that anyone who has video footage from the event, or has any information about the shooting, contact his department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 607-737-2933.
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