A Pittsburgh Pirates employee was caught in a shocking violent altercation with a fan during Sunday’s game at PNC Park.Â
The staff member hurled punches and even attempted to whip the fan with a belt after their heated exchange of words came to blows.Â
The game day employee has been suspended by the MLB team following the wild scenes that unfolded during the 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres.Â
The appalling incident is said to have occurred after the fan and his friend began harassing a female concession stand worker, eyewitnesses told KDKA.Â
The game day employee intervened, herding the two men away from her, which sparked a fiery argument between him and one of the fans.Â
The employee allegedly attempted to remove himself from the situation, backing off and moving away multiple times but to no avail.Â
A Pittsburgh Pirates employee was caught in a shocking violent altercation with a fan
The staff member hurled punches and even attempted to whip the fan with a belt
The fan reportedly wouldn’t let up, following him and continuing to taunt him, which ultimately sparked the violent melee.
The exasperated employee threw the first punch, launching a barrage of hits at the man, forcing bystanders and other staff members to swiftly break them up.Â
But within moments the fan retaliated, taunting the employee yet again by spitting on him. The disgusting act triggered another irate reaction from the employee, who took off his belt and attempted to whip the fleeing fan with it.Â
The altercation was caught on camera by a bystander, while the Pirates organization also said it would be reviewing security footage.Â
‘We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of yesterday’s game between a PNC Park game day employee and a guest,’ a statement from Pirates Senior Vice President of Communications, Brian Warecki, read, via KDKA.Â
‘The employee’s behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation.’Â
The investigation is said to involve Pittsburgh police, who arrived on the scene.Â
It’s not the first incident the Pirates have had to deal with at PNC Park over the past week.Â
Last week, a Pirates fan who fell 21ft from a stadium wall and suffered serious injuries
Last week, Pirates fan Kavan Markwood slipped off a railing and fell from a 21-foot wall on to the field during the seventh inning of Pittsburgh’s win over the Chicago Cubs last week.
Markwood sustained traumatic injuries, including a broken neck, back and collarbone, according to a statement shared on a GoFundMe page set up to support him.Â
The 20-year-old took his first steps Monday but still has ‘a long way to go’ in his recovery after the fall, which left him in a critical condition.
Jennifer Phillips, the organizer of the GoFundMe page, provided an update Monday, revealing that his recovery is ‘a slow slow process, but seeing him up and moving was a huge win and definitely lifted everyone’s spirits.’
Share or comment on this article:
Shocking moment Pirates employee lashes out at fan in wild violent fight during game