Gainesville ball field vandalized; One 19-year-old woman and four minors were reportedly involved, woman shared video of incident to social media
The rear fence of the main ballfield in Gainesville was destroyed when a group of people drove a truck through the fence and went into the field, cutting donuts. A video of the incident was reportedly posted to a 19-year-old woman’s social media account. Charges are pending, OCSD says.
One 19-year-old woman and four minors are reportedly responsible for destruction of property at the Gainesville ball fields, according to the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Cass Martin said charges are pending. Deputy Seth Miller is handling the investigation.
According to the sheriff’s report, the damage was reported to the sheriff’s department’s dispatch office around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, while several area roads were still covered with snow and ice from the second-round winter storm that came through the area that day around lunchtime. Due to the road conditions, Ozark County schools were not in session that day.
The suspects reportedly drove through the fence and gate located on the back side of the main ball field and cut several donuts in the grassy outfield and infield. Martin said the damage to the fence and gate amount to around $5,000.
At least one of the individuals took a cell phone video of others committing the vandalism, and the 19-year-old woman reportedly posted the video to her social media account. Law enforcement was made aware of the video, which aided in their investigation.
Gainesville Superintendent Justin Gilmore told the Times that the ball fields will be repaired before the high school season starts in early March. He said he is unable to discuss student disciplinary actions that may be imposed on the minors who were involved.
Gilmore says that while the school board is aware of the situation, disciplinary actions are the responsibility of the school’s administration team and is being dealt with accordingly.
The Times will follow the case and release the name of the woman when charges are filed.
In Missouri defendants who are 18 and older are charged as an adult, and those age 17 and younger are considered minors. Information about minors’ cases in the juvenile system is not public record; therefore, the Times cannot report on any charges or punishment against those individuals.