DAYTON — A woman claims she was assaulted by a group of teenagers at Welcome Stadium on Friday.
Danielle Cummings told News Center 7 she was working the concession stand with her son during a game when the stands started being cleared due to “numerous fights.”
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“It was to the point where there was like, mob fights in the stands,” Cummings said. “Then all of the sudden, the whole stand was inside of the concession area being escorted out, and we were like ‘what’s going on?’”
After the game, Cummings said she went outside with her son by a side gate and a young girl approached them asking for help stating that a large group of kids were trying to jump her.
Cummings told News Center 7 a group of 20 kids suddenly came “busting” past her. She said the kids were swinging and punching and she was taking hits.
At this point, Cummings said her son took the girl back into the concession area and the group of kids followed.
She said she repeatedly yelled to DPS security and Dayton police for help, but they did not move.
“Security stood where they were standing. Police officers stood where they were standing,” Cummings said.
Cummings said her and her son were the only people who helped the girl escape the mob of students.
Cummings told News Center 7 a DPS employee told her the reason no one tried to intervene was because they thought she was a kid.
News Center 7 reached out to DPS and received the following statement from Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Lolli:
At the conclusion of Friday’s football game, a group of approximately 100 high school students began running as a group from one end of the parking lot to another repeatedly while recording themselves on their phones. One student then began hitting other students. DPS Security Resource Officers responded immediately and moved a majority of the students near the stadium fence for safety as buses and vehicles began exiting. In addition, Dayton Police and UD police were called and responded immediately.
At no point did a fight occur in the stands or inside Welcome Stadium. Fighting in the parking lot has been reported at one other game this year.
The safety of students, staff, and those attending DPS athletic events is the district’s utmost priority. SROs are trained to ensure the safety of all who attend any DPS event.
We will continue updating this story as we learn more.