Twenty people were injured in two shootouts in downtown Milwaukee, near an entertainment district where thousands were watching the Bucks play the Celtics in the NBA’s Eastern Conference semifinals, officials said.
None of the injuries from either of the shots were believed to be life-threatening.
Friday night’s first shooting, which involved three victims, took place near the Deer District – an entertainment district with many bars and restaurants where large crowds often gather for major sporting events.
The Milwaukee Fire Department said officers took two people to the hospital, a 30-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl, and a third person was taken to the hospital. Police said a 29-year-old man is in custody.
About two hours later, seventeen more people were injured in a second gunfight, which happened a short distance away. Local station WTMJ-TV reported that ten people were taken into custody and nine guns were recovered.
There was no immediate indication whether the two shootings were related or involving fans watching the game.
Witnesses told WTMJ-TV they witnessed a fight outside a bar after a basketball game.
Bill Reinman, a parking attendant at the lot adjacent to Deere District, said he heard gunshots but did not see anyone shooting or shooting during the earlier shooting.
“It sounded like six to eight bullets,” he said. “It was close.”
After the firing, a large number of fans started running towards the deer district, he said.
The much-worked Reinman remained in his position for 18 years, even as horrified Bucks fans overtook him.
“I sat here in my chair the whole time,” he said.
“The incident took place outside the Hiran district area. We direct all questions to the Milwaukee Police Department,” said Bucks spokesman Barry Baum.
Boston beat Milwaukee in the game to tie Game 7 in the series.
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