A mysterious late-night cry for help turned into a dramatic rescue at Spartan Stadium just before midnight, when police responded to reports of someone screaming from inside the fenced-off area.
When officers arrived, they found a man trapped inside the stadium, near a nearby residence, yelling for assistance. Despite checking the perimeter, police found all entrances locked and secure, leaving it unclear how the man ended up inside.
Portsmouth Fire Department crews were called in and had to cut the lock to free the individual. While the exact circumstances remain murky, authorities say the situation appears to be drug-related. An ambulance transported the man to Southern Ohio Medical Center for evaluation.
Shawnee State University Police also arrived on the scene to help re-secure the area, though the cut lock meant the fence could no longer be fully secured.
A Strange Night, and a Stranger Mystery
Police are still trying to determine how the man entered the stadium—and why. Whether it was confusion, drugs, or something more intentional, officers say the incident is a reminder that not all cries for help are false alarms.
What to Do If You Hear Screaming for Help
- Call 911 immediately—never assume it’s a prank.
- Don’t enter a potentially dangerous situation yourself.
- Give dispatchers as much detail as possible about the location and what you heard.
Thanks to fast response from PPD, PFD, and SSU officers, a potentially tragic situation was resolved safely. But questions still linger: how did he get in—and what was he really running from?
