Penn Hills to implement new security measures at home football games

The Penn Hills School District has implemented new site entry standards and an “increased security presence” at its home football games this season. The changes come after a shooting Friday in the vicinity of the Woodland Hills-Penn Hills football game in Turtle Creek.

Penn Hills Superintendent John Mozzocio detailed the changes in a letter posted to the district’s website Sunday. Penn Hills plays North Allegheny on Friday at the district’s Yuhas-McGinley Stadium.

Penn Hills and North Allegheny high school students are required to purchase tickets in advance at a school pre-sale and show their student ID to enter the stadium, Mozzocio said. All Penn Hills students without a pre-sale ticket must have a parent or guardian with them at the gate to purchase a ticket, and high school students without a pre-sale ticket must show their student ID.

All grades K-8 students must be accompanied by an adult during the game, Mozzocio said. These students will wear a wristband indicating to security that they must be with an adult.

The measures come after a shooting in Turtle Creek on Friday that suspended the Woodland Hills-Penn Hills football game.

Allegheny County Police said that at 10:06 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Lynn Avenue for reports of gunfire. Around the same time, a man had left the game at Woodland Hills’ Wolvarena stadium and was shot in the leg as he was walking on the 900 block of Oak Avenue.

Authorities said the man ran back to the football stadium, seeking medics. Officials suspended the football game and medics drove the man to a local hospital, where he was later released.

Turtle Creek officials said the incident occurred outside of the stadium, but caused panic and confusion among spectators. The stadium was evacuated.

Mozzocio said the incident did not involve students from Penn Hills High School. A statement issued Saturday by the Woodland Hills School District said all student-athletes, cheerleaders, marching bands and spectators from Woodland Hills and Penn Hills were safe.

No arrests have been announced.

Mozzocio said the Penn Hills’ team and coaches were able to meet with administrators and counselors Saturday morning. Counselors will also be available to students and staff on Tuesday.

Other area school districts this football season have implemented similar policies to Penn Hills.

The Jeannette City School District now requires elementary-age children attending sporting events at McKee Stadium to have a parent or guardian with them. Greensburg Salem School District officials request elementary and middle school students be supervised during home athletic events at Offutt Field.