The death of 30-year-old Braves fan Ron Homer also shocked those on the field:
“We obviously knew what happened. It puts things in perspective. We’re just playing a game; that’s real-life stuff. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim, and we’re with them.”
— Third baseman Chris Johnson
“It’s terrible to hear, especially when you walk through where it happened every day. You see that spot every single day. It’s just sad to hear. You never wish that upon anyone. … You expect to come here and have a good time, try to win a ballgame, go home and come back the next day. But you never think about something like that happening at a ballpark.”
— Catcher Gerald Laird
“You come to a baseball game and some crazy stuff happens – again I don’t know what happened – but you’ve got to feel for the family. Young man, 30 years old.”
— Manager Fredi Gonzalez
“The Atlanta Braves extend our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Mr. Homer’s family and friends. We are saddened by this tragic incident and will continue our investigation along with the Atlanta Police Department.”
— Team statement