Is Naomi Osaka OK? Tennis star was 'petrified' at being caught in potential active shooter situation in NY
Tennis star Naomi Osaka has spoken out and shared her terrifying experience on social media after being part of a crowd who panicked after false reports of gunshots being fired outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The incident occurred during the Gervonta Davis vs Rolando Romero Showtime pay-per-view fight at the arena. Osaka, who was just eliminated in the first round of the French Open, was in attendance at the tournament, which Davis won with a sixth-round knockout.
On Twitter, Osaka shared her experience with her 1.1 million followers telling them she was safe, “I was just in the Barclays center and suddenly I heard shouting and saw people running, then we were being yelled at that there was an active shooter and we had to huddle in a room and close the doors, I was so f***** petrified man. I really hope everyone made it out safely, since I’m tweeting this we made it out ok.” Videos circulating on social media showed the crowd appearing to rush out of the arena once the fight had been concluded amid reports of the shots. Panicked event-goers resorted to a stampede as news of the Uvalde school shooting remained fresh in their minds. Fans feared there was an active shooter in the main plaza and battled to find cover, but the New York Police Department has since denied that any shots were fired.
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A number of journalists on the scene also gave their accounts of what happened. Reporter Ryan Sonaglia told The NY Post, “We’re used to brawls at boxing events but recent headlines and the panic of the crowd made many of us worried that our worst fears would come true. Thankfully we were able to return to our seats to file our stories and exit safely.” He added that people were “definitely frightened, it wasn’t like they were just moving back inside to get away from a few people throwing punches. It was as if they were running for their lives.”
I really hope everyone made it out safely, since I’m tweeting this we made it out ok.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 29, 2022
Scary moment as crowds pour back into Barclays Center, my fear was a shooting but those fears proved unfounded. pic.twitter.com/pcBdfwWplt
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) May 29, 2022
More footage of the aftermath at Barclay's Center #Barclayscenter #DavisRomero #STAMPEDE pic.twitter.com/dy41NTR3VB
— Thakidfrombk (@thakidfrombk) May 29, 2022
Everyone at @barclayscenter was panicking. Both my knees are bleeding from being on the floor for what seemed like 20 minutes. Thanks to my brother for pulling me out safe.
— amanjotkaur (@amaniix3) May 29, 2022
Frightening moments. Hundreds of fans started to rush back into the arena from the concourse. People -- including media -- ducking for cover.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) May 29, 2022
Many on social media also posted their accounts of the incident as one person wrote, “Everyone at @barclayscenter was panicking. Both my knees are bleeding from being on the floor for what seemed like 20 minutes.” “Sound of gunshots inside Barclays Center. Frightening moments. Hundreds of fans started to rush back into the arena from the concourse. People -- including the media -- ducking for cover,” another added.
As the public exited the arena, a brawl broke out, causing a disturbance that was misinterpreted as an active shooter, according to NYPD. NYPD told the New York Post, "It’s a large crowd condition. No shots were fired. No one shot outside the Barclay’s Center."