Mount Pleasant Youth Football League Cancelled After Bullet Threats
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pennsylvania State Police are handling the investigation concerning threats made against coaches, referees and league officers of the Mount Pleasant Area Junior Football League.
"It's a shame that it's kind of come to that," said Andrew Ziglar who lives in the Norvelt Community of Westmoreland County.
Several people in the Mount Pleasant area find it hard to believe that in a community where football is king, someone would leave bullet casings at the gate of the area football field.
According to a statement from the league's officers, the names of the officers were written on the ammunition shells.
A police spokesman wouldn't say how many bullet casings were found, but they are conducting interviews and gathering evidence.
"If it's a threat, it needs to be cancelled," said Dina Castelli, who lives in Westmoreland County.
Dozens of players and cheerleaders ages 7-15 gather at Hurst Field every week to play the game they love, but their season is over after repeated threats against the coaches, referees and league officers. The motive is still unclear.
"The coaches really put out a lot of effort out there for their kids and do a lot of things for the children. I don't understand why they would ever be threatened," Josephine Linden, who lives in Norvelt, said.
The Mount Pleasant League Officers posted a statement on the league's Facebook page Tuesday night. It reads in part:
"Due to the increase in violence of these threats the safety of our children is the main concern. Decisions of this magnitude are not done lightly; rather they are done with the advice of state police, FBI, school administrators and league officials."
This is the 50th anniversary season of the Mount Pleasant Area Junior Football League.
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