Two shootings near Skyline High School in one week

Mesa police are investigating two separate incidents of reported gunfire near Skyline High School that occurred within 48 hours of each other, leaving the school community on high alert. The first report came in on Wednesday, and the second occurred on Thursday, both near the baseball field.

On Wednesday night, Derek St. John was at bat during a game when shots were heard from across the street. He stated that after the ball hit the mitt, two more shots were fired. He looked at the umpire to confirm the sound but the game continued. He noted that a truck was parked in the right center field patch, which provided a view of the road and neighborhood.

Kate St. John, Derek's mother, said parents want police to identify the shooter or shooters. She questioned the police response, noting that officers did not go to the field. She asked why officers did not stick around to speak with the umpire or other witnesses who saw what happened. Parents also shared video of the incident that shows the game stopping and people calling for police.

Mesa police responded to the area on Wednesday but said they did not find evidence of a shooting. Officers are currently looking for leads on what happened that night. The department stated that the Thursday shooting was isolated to a nearby neighborhood and that the school was not the target.

Thursday night, shots were fired in the same area of the baseball field. One student who was playing was hit by something in the air. The student is okay, but police have not yet determined if it was a stray bullet. The two incidents have raised concerns among parents about security for students when they return to the school.

The Mesa Police Department is asking anyone with information to call 480-644-2211. The investigation into the Wednesday incident is ongoing as officers gather leads. The two reports of gunfire have occurred in the same general vicinity of the school's athletic fields.