Security guard shot in HEAD while trying to stop fight at NY high school football game

A security guard was shot in the back of the head while attempting to break up a fight outside of a high school football game in Utica, New York, on Saturday. 

According to a press release from the Utica Police Department on Facebook, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. outside of Proctor High School as a football game between Proctor and Binghamton High School was concluding. 

As a fight broke out on school grounds, two security guards for the Utica City School District attempted to break it up when two gunshots were fired, striking one of them in the back of the head. 

The report notes that the man is in critical but stable condition at the local hospital. "We would also be remiss if we did not mention the heroics of this security officer and the others who attempted to break up the fight and put themselves in harm’s way so the spectators and students watching the game were not in danger," the statement added. 

Utica Police Chief Mark Williams told the New York Post the group had been turned away from the football game by another security guard, so they never went through the metal detector at the entry that would have alerted them to the firearm. 

"He suspected that something wasn't right with this group and he refused to lead into the stadium," Williams said. 

The Utica Police Department Major Crimes Unit is looking through surveillance footage and social media videos to determine the identity of the shooter. It is asking anyone with information about the incident to call them at (315) 223-3556 or to submit an anonymous tip online through Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers at www.mohawkvalleycrimestoppers.com, by calling 1-866-730-8477 (TIPS), or by using the P3 Tips mobile app. 

This incident comes just weeks after a 15-year-old was arrested for a shooting that took place during the third quarter of a high school football game in Choctaw, Oklahoma, that left a 16-year-old dead.