Texas Youth Baseball Coach Hit By Gunfire During Pregame Prayer, Expected To Recover
A youth baseball coach in Texas is expected to make a full recovery after being struck by a stray bullet while leading a pregame prayer. The incident unfolded at a community baseball complex just before a scheduled morning game. Players and families were shaken but the team rallied quickly to help the injured coach.
The shooting occurred on Sept. 21 at a field in Katy, roughly 15 miles west of Houston, when deputies responded to reports of gunfire just before 10 a.m. Authorities say the shots came from outside the park and landed near the playing area. No game had started and many families were gathered for warmups and introductions.
Investigators determined the rounds were fired from a nearby pasture in the direction of the field. Officials believe the shooting was not aimed at anyone on the field but the trajectory sent a bullet through the area where players and coaches were assembled. The randomness of the strike left many asking how outdoor recreational spaces can be safer.
One bullet struck the coach in the upper arm during a moment of prayer with his team; he was treated at a hospital and released to recover at home. Teammates and onlookers described a chaotic scene as people scrambled for cover and checked on one another. Medical staff confirmed the wound was non-life-threatening and the coach is recuperating.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting: Mahmood Abdelsalam Rababah, 23; Ahmad Mawed, 21; and Mustafa Mohammad Matalgah, 27. Each faces charges including deadly conduct and discharge of a firearm, which are felony offenses in this case. Authorities say each is being held on $100,000 bond.
Warriors founder Andy Baize said the coach was engaged in a pregame prayer with his team when the injury occurred. The emotional toll on families, staff, and young players was immediate and profound. Local organizers moved quickly to coordinate care and communicate with parents after the scene was secured.
Video footage captured nearby shows coaches and players reacting to the gunfire, though the moment the coach was struck is not visible on tape. The clip highlights how sudden and disorienting the event was for everyone present. An embedded video of the incident has circulated, underscoring community concern and the scramble to protect children.
An initial statement from the facility said the bullet came from a “recreational shooting on a nearby property” and that officials were alerted to “possible illegal hunting.” Facility leaders later said the suspects were target practicing about 700 yards from the field. That distance did not prevent the stray round from reaching the area where teams were gathered.
In the aftermath, the complex suspended practices through Sept. 29 and postponed tournaments until Oct. 4 while it reassesses safety protocols. Management announced the implementation of “enhanced security measures for all tournament weekends.” The goal, they said, is to restore confidence and make sure families feel secure returning to youth activities.
“We look forward to welcoming back our players, coaches, and families, with their safety and peace of mind at the forefront,” the organization said. “We remain deeply grateful to the baseball community for their support and understanding, and we will continue to keep those affected by this accident in our thoughts and prayers.” Community members say they expect accountability and clearer protections at public sporting events going forward.