Wilson's Fleming Stadium goes on lockdown after shots fired nearby during game

It's common for Nick Worrell to spend his nights playing baseball for the Wilson Post 13 American Legion Baseball team.

This Sunday's game ended like none other, with gunshots ringing out nearby.

"We all looked over there, and we just ran," Worrell said.

The players took shelter in the dugout while the stadium was locked down for about an hour, eventually leading to a suspended game.

"It was pretty shocking, considering the time and date. Sunday night around 8 o'clock," Worrell said. "You don't expect it."

It's not the first time a nearby shooting canceled a baseball game in Wilson.

In 2022, a Wilson City Little League tournament was canceled after shots were fired near a game at the J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex.

In a statement, The Wilson Police Department said officers responded to the area near Stadium Street and Churchill Avenue regarding shots fired. After an investigation, they found several shell casings but no injuries or property damage.

We asked Worrell how many shots he thought rang out in total.

"I would say around 25," he said.

Mike Bell, the general manager of Wilson Tobs, the team that also uses Fleming Stadium, calls the incident a one-off.

Bell said he is proud of how the incident was handled.

"We have players that go in certain dugouts, everything is gated off and shut, the police department is on call," he said.

He said the stadium always has officers on standby when significant events occur.

Yet, some can't shake the feeling of fear.

"We didn't know if we were going to leave...when we're going to be able to leave," Worrell said.

Wilson police said they are continuing to investigate the incident.