The victim has been identified as a 17-year-old boy
Credit: Google Maps
NEED TO KNOW
- A 17-year-old boy has died after being shot during a high school football game in Bakersfield, Calif.
- Police arrested a 15-year-old suspect on Aug. 22 and said they believe the shooting stemmed from a fight between a group of individuals
- The game was canceled as attendees fled, but authorities have said there is no ongoing threat to the community
A 17-year-old has died, and a 15-year-old is in custody, after a shooting broke out at a California high school football game.
According to police in Bakersfield, located just over 100 miles north of Los Angeles, officers received reports of shots being fired at a football game taking place at Independence High School around 8 p.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 21.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 17-year-old boy who had sustained gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
“Our preliminary investigation indicates the incident began as a fight between a group of individuals and resulted in the shooting,” police wrote in a social media post.
By Saturday morning, Aug. 22, the Bakersfield Police Department announced that it had arrested a 15-year-old suspect in connection with the shooting. The teen’s identity has not been made public.
Credit: BakersfieldPD/X
“We want to emphasize to our community that we believe, based on our preliminary investigation, that this is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to our community,” police said in a social media video on Friday. “This is an active investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111.”
On Saturday, police released a photo of the teenage suspect being handcuffed and taken into custody.
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Local outlets KGET and 23ABC News Bakersfield reported that Independence High was playing Centennial High School, also in Bakersfield, at the time the gunfire erupted.
A KGET reporter who was covering the game said he heard roughly seven to eight gunshots, and attendees immediately began fleeing from the scene.
According to a statement from Independence High School and the Kern High School District obtained by KGET, the football game was quickly canceled in the aftermath of the incident.
“Kern High School District Police and Bakersfield Police Department responded to the incident and are actively investigating,” the school and district wrote jointly, per the outlet. “The safety of our students, staff, families and community is the District’s priority and concern. Our thoughts and prayers are with our school community, students and families at this time. The District will provide additional information as appropriate and as it becomes available.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the school district for further information.
“Our hearts are with the family of the 17-year-old who lost his life, & all those impacted by this tragedy,” the police department added in a separate post shared on Saturday, following the announcement that a teen suspect had been arrested. “We have a strong community. That strength will carry us forward.”
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