- February 7, 2025
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A spectator allegedly pulled out a firearm after an altercation on Saturday, Sept. 30, during a soccer match between Port Orange and the Poinciana Soccer Club, according to a report obtained through a public records request to the city of Port Orange.
A referee report indicates the match was terminated due to the Poinciana's coach refusing to leave the field after being expelled from the game. Previously, an altercation had taken place between two players and a reckless foul was called, the report states.
The referee wrote that both coaches were expelled for "irresponsible behavior," and the Poinciana coach "reacted violently to the expulsion and had to be restrained by his assistant coach."
The Port Orange coach left without incident, according to the report.
After the game had been restarted, an individual identified the Poinciana coach standing on top of a car "yelling onto the field of play," according to the referee.
According to another witness statement obtained through a records request, the away coach was on top of a "small SUV screaming instructions to his team and verbally abusing the referee."
According to the witness statement, the coach and several parents had started threatening others. It was at this point a Port Orange parent ran out of the field and "attempted to remove what appeared to be a weapon from under driver’s seat."
The witness reported that the individual did appear to pull out a weapon before another Port Orange parent told him to not be stupid and "get out of here," according to the witness report. The witness added the individual "left almost immediately."
According to the referee's report, the spectator went to his car, opened the driver's door and pulled out a pistol from under the seat. However, the referee stated another parent was able to convince the individual to get into his car and leave.
According to the report, the police arrived on the scene and had been dispatched to interview the individual who was observed pulling out a gun.
"The police report states that other witnesses identified the firearm as a 9mm," according to the referee report.
The Port Orange Observer asked for the incident report from the Port Orange Police Department but was told nothing has been able to be released yet. In an email, the department also stated that at this time it could not be confirmed that a firearm was brought to the soccer field.
