Chaos at the Fields: Suspect Identified in Paradise Coast Sports Complex Shooting

What was meant to be a high-spirited showcase of youth football at the American Youth Football National Championships on Friday morning turned into a moment parents and kids will not forget. Around 10:30 a.m., gunfire erupted in the parking area at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, sending players, families, and spectators scrambling for cover.

Collier County Sheriff’s deputies quickly secured the scene and took a suspect into custody, preventing further harm. One man was struck by gunfire and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Law enforcement later identified the suspect as 38-year-old William Wharton of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who is now facing an aggravated battery charge in connection with the incident. The victim, 43-year-old James Raynard, also from Winston-Salem and reportedly involved in coaching youth football, was hospitalized following the shooting.

At last report, authorities have not released the motive behind the shooting, though the sheriff’s office is actively interviewing witnesses and processing evidence. Deputies say the swift arrival and arrest likely prevented escalation.

Attendees at the championships say security measures at the complex were already heightened with bag checks, metal detectors, and checkpoints in place. One scouting director noted that the setup was far more rigorous than at other similar events.

Yet the gunfire struck outside the secure perimeter, in a busy lot filled with families, coaches, and children anxiously watching the holiday weekend tournament unfold. The abrupt sound of shots with kids as young as 6, 7, and 8 present, ignited waves of fear and a desperate rush to safety.

While Colts County officials have praised the rapid response, questions linger about event safety and how violence can erupt at a family-oriented sports venue. The Paradise Coast Sports Complex has positioned itself as a premier destination for sporting tourism, anchored by state-of-the-art fields and hosting events that draw teams nationwide.

Neighbors and parents alike are calling for community forums and enhanced protocols to protect future participants, especially at events that draw children from across the country. A complex known for goals, touchdowns, and teamwork is now tasked with restoring confidence and ensuring fans feel safe at every game.