A major security scare has rocked the buildup to the World Cup after nine people were injured in a shooting just a short drive from England’s tournament training base.
Police were called to reports of an incident on Troost Avenue in Kansas City at around 4 a.m. on Saturday, launching a major emergency response to the area.
Kansas City Police Department captain Jake Becchina confirmed, via The Athletic, that officers had been dispatched after shots were heard being fired, arriving at the scene to find a large crowd dispersing.
Three adult females who sustained injuries at the location were immediately rushed to a local hospital by emergency services. It later emerged that a total of nine adults had gone to various local hospitals suffering from non-life threatening injuries.
No suspects are currently in custody, but law enforcement officers are continuing to heavily patrol the location as the investigation into the shooting continues.
Troost Avenue is just a four-mile drive away from the training base and team hotel that the England squad will be stationed in during the early stages of the World Cup.
A major security scare has rocked the buildup to the World Cup after nine people were injured in a shooting just a short drive from England ’s tournament training base. (The squad, pictured, are currently in West Palm Beach, Florida)
The incident comes just days before the England squad are set to touch down in Kansas City
England will train at Swope Soccer Village, home of Sporting KC’s reserve team and academy
The incident comes just days before the England squad are set to touch down in Kansas City, having been in Palm Beach, Florida for recent World Cup preparations.
England played against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday afternoon, winning their first World Cup warm-up friendly 1-0 thanks to a goal from captain Harry Kane.
Next up, they will face Costa Rica on Wednesday afternoon at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando – before eventually flying to Kansas City on June 13.
During the opening stages of the tournament, they will train at Swope Soccer Village, the home of Sporting KC’s reserve team and academy.
More to follow…
