Three men have been charged in connection with the shooting of a youth baseball coach during a pregame prayer.
Mahmood Abdelsalam Rababah, 23, Ahmad Mawed, 21, and Mustafa Mohammad Matalgah, 27, were arrested on felony charges of deadly conduct and discharge of a firearm. Each has a $100,000 bond.
According to the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, “The investigation revealed that three suspects discharged firearms from a nearby pasture, in the direction of the field while a youth baseball event was taking place.” The press release explains that “one adult male was struck in the upper arm” during the gunfire. He was then transported to a hospital and later released.
Houston Warriors founder Andy Baize told KHOU-11 that the incident occurred during a pregame prayer. “He literally took the bullet for a child that was to his left, and so thankfully we avoided a major disaster. Still very, very emotional over it,” Baize said, adding that the coach’s first reaction “was to get down to the ground, cover his kids and get them to a safe space.”
The coach told physicians that he needed to leave “because I have to go coach my 10-year-old at 3 o’clock,” Baize said.
The Rac Baseball explained the incident as “involving recreational shooting on a nearby property.” Authorities were notified of “possible illegal hunting.” It is believed the shots came from several hundred yards away from the baseball field.
“In addition to the efforts of local law enforcement, we have implemented enhanced security measures for all tournament weekends. We look forward to welcoming back our players, coaches, and families, with their safety and peace of mind at the forefront,” the baseball field owners said in a Facebook statement.
