What Happened to Naomi Osaka? As She caught up in shooting scare at boxing bout
3 min read
CFP | Twitter
Naomi Osaka, a Japanese tennis player, said she was “terrified” after getting caught in a rush at the Barclays Center as fans hastily tried to flee or find cover after a false alarm of a shooting outside caused panic.
The incident occurred at the arena during the Showtime pay-per-view fight between Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero. Naomi Osaka was in attendance at the tournament, which Davis won with a sixth-round knockout. She had recently been ousted in the first round of the French Open.
Multiple people were brought to the hospital, according to ESPN’s boxing writer Mike Coppinger.
Fans, reporters, and those who had come to watch the fight sought to evacuate as quickly as they could. Osaka got caught up in the chaos too. The four-time Grand Slam champion expressed her fear of the experience on social media.
Scary moment as crowds pour back into Barclays Center, my fear was a shooting but those fears proved unfounded. pic.twitter.com/pcBdfwWplt
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) May 29, 2022Advertisement
“I was so f***** petrified man”
“I was so f–king frightened guy,” Naomi Osaka tweeted at 1.42 a.m. on Sunday, stating she was just in the Barclays Center when she heard shouting and saw people running. Then they were yelled at that there was an active shooter and they all had to gather in a room and close the doors.
I really hope everyone made it out safely, since I’m tweeting this we made it out ok.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 29, 2022
Following reports of the shootings, videos circulating on social media showed the audience rushing out of the venue as the fight had ended. As news of the Uvalde school shooting remained fresh in their minds, panicked event attendees resorted to a stampede. Fans assumed there was an active shooter in the main square and scrambled for shelter, however, the NYPD has now disputed that any rounds were fired.
A number of journalists who were present at the time presented their accounts of the events. “We’re used to brawls at boxing events,” reporter Ryan Sonaglia told The New York Post, “but recent headlines and the terror of the audience made many of us scared that our worst fears may come true.”
More footage of the aftermath at Barclay's Center #Barclayscenter #DavisRomero #STAMPEDE pic.twitter.com/dy41NTR3VB
— Thakidfrombk (@thakidfrombk) May 29, 2022
Many others shared their accounts of the incident on social media, with one individual writing, “Everyone at @barclayscenter was panicked.” “I’ve been on the floor for what seems like 20 minutes, and both of my knees are bleeding.”
Everyone at @barclayscenter was panicking. Both my knees are bleeding from being on the floor for what seemed like 20 minutes. Thanks to my brother for pulling me out safe.
— amanjotkaur (@amaniix3) May 29, 2022
As the United States continues to reel from the news of two recent mass shootings in Buffalo and at a school in Uvalde, Texas, crowds jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
