Franklin 8U All-star team game canceled after shooting reporting at the complex

Macon County families are heading home early from a state little league tournament in Wilson, North Carolina after a shooting occurred at the park just after 10 a.m. Franklin’s 8U (7 & 8 year olds) All-Star little league baseball team were tied heading into the fifth inning when chaos erupted at the J. Burt Gillette Athletic Compex on Corbett Avenue in Wilson County, North Carolina, East of Raleigh.

The game was being live-streamed by Macon County resident and mother of one of the players, Caitlin Koszczepki, when gunshots can be heard and the crowd scatters. Koszczepki, who can be heard on the phone with her brother, Macon County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Raby, advises the children to lay down in a corn field adjacent to the ballfield, directions Deputy Raby gave to keep the players safe.

Law enforcement arrived at the complex just after 10:30 a.m., but they were unable to locate a shooter. No injuries were reported from the incident.  An unoccupied minivan parked at the complex was found to have been struck by bullets with windows shot out.

Despite additional games scheduled to take place in the tournament on Monday, the Franklin All-star team decided to leave Wilson County and return home to Franklin.

Coaches for the team include Joseph Friedling, Jody Mason, Scott Manshack, and Derek Wallace. The players on the team are Leighton Mason, Gavin Fuller, Jayden Letchworth, James Friedling, Bryce Wallace, Nolan Manshack, Kason Viar, Porter Vinson, Gradyn Gibson, Tripp Hollbrooks, Kauis Frady, and Beaux Morgan.

The Wilson Police Department asked that anyone with information regarding this case contact the Wilson Police Department at 252-399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 252-243-2255.