The Philadelphia Eagles’ gesture to play host to the suspended Camden-Pleasantville HS playoff football game Wednesday was overshadowed by the tragic news 10-year-old Micah Tennant, who was shot in the neck when a man fired into the crowd at the game Friday, has died
The game started at Pleasantville and was interrupted in a horrific manner when shots were fired in the bleachers, causing panic.
Two other people, including a 15-year-old boy, were also wounded. The gunman was aiming for Ibn Abdullah, 27, who was the third person shot, police have said.
NJ.com reported Alvin Wyatt will now be charged with murder in addition to facing multiple other counts. Six people in all have been arrested in connection with the shooting, which drew national attention.
New Jersey politicians were quick to weigh in after Tennant’s death was announced.
Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement offering condolences to the Tennant family.
“No child deserves to have their promising life cut short, especially by indiscriminate and senseless gun violence,” Murphy said. “No parent deserves to bury their child. We will hold Dew’s memory close, and we will remember his name, as we continue our work to make New Jersey safer for all of our families.”
“This does not need to be our reality,” Rep. Jeff Van Drew, D-2nd Dist., said in a statement. “There are bipartisan legislative solutions that we can enact right now that will decrease the likelihood that another family has to suffer this profound tragedy.”
In Philadelphia during the day, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz greeted players from the Camden HS team before play was resumed. Before the teams restarted the game a moment of silence was held for Tennant.
Camden was leading when the game was suspended and went on to a 22-0 victory.