San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Padres manager Jayce Tingler 'proud' of players for leading fans to safety after shooting outside Nationals Park

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/18/21

Saturday's game between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres was halted in the sixth inning after a shooting outside Nationals Park left three people injured.

As chaos broke out inside the stadium, several Padres players, including Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, led fans to safety in the team's dugout.

This was the scene in the Padres dugout pic.twitter.com/LZTF9IQrgv
— Chris Martin (@cmgolfr212) July 18, 2021

While speaking to reporters on Sunday, Padres manager Jayce Tingler praised his players for guiding fans to safety without hesitation during Saturday's incident.

An emotional Jayce Tingler, talking about his players after last night's shooting incident: "They thought maybe the dugout could’ve been the safest place, and they led and welcomed and guided people in there. Couldn’t be any more proud to have those players a part of our team."
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) July 18, 2021

Tingler's comments come after Tatis tweeted early Sunday morning that he hoped everyone was safe. The All-Star shortstop also expressed his appreciation for law enforcement officials.

Hope everyone is safe! Just keep the prayers up thank you everyone that help in the front line ! God bless
— Fernando Tatis Jr. (@tatis_jr) July 18, 2021

At least three people were injured in the shooting outside Nationals Park. The remainder of Saturday's game is set to be played Sunday before a regularly scheduled contest between the Nationals and Padres.

According to ESPN, there will be an increased police presence at the stadium for Sunday's events.

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