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Bakersfield football shooting
A shooting during a high school football game at Independence High School in Bakersfield left a 17-year-old boy dead and a 15-year-old boy arrested in connection with the fatal incident, according to police.
“called to Independence High School, located in the 7500 block of Stockdale Highway, at around 8 p.m.”
CBS News reported that officers were called to Independence High School in the 7500 block of Stockdale Highway at around 8 p.m. Friday for reports of a shooting, and they found the 17-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Police said the victim was taken to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead, and a preliminary investigation indicated the incident began as a fight between a group of individuals that resulted in the shooting.
The Independent described the shooting as gang-related and said the game between Independence and local rival Centennial High School was canceled after gunfire erupted around 8 p.m. Friday.
KTLA added that the call came out just after 8 p.m. for reports of shots fired at the Independence High School football game, and when officers arrived they found a 17-year-old male who was the victim of a shooting and was transported to Kern Medical where he was pronounced deceased.
Police: not random
Bakersfield Police Department said the shooting was not a random act of violence, and CBS News quoted police saying, "Investigators have determined that the victim and suspect were known to one another and that this was not a random act of violence."
The Independent similarly reported that police said the victim and the suspect, who was charged as a juvenile, knew each other and that the slaying "was not a random act of violence."
Police also said the 15-year-old suspect was arrested for murder and participation in a criminal street gang, and CBS News noted the suspect was not identified due to his age.
KTLA reported that the game was canceled shortly afterwards, and it said the teenager who was shot and killed was not immediately identified by name.
People reported that by Saturday morning, Aug. 22, the Bakersfield Police Department announced it had arrested a 15-year-old suspect, and it said police emphasized the incident was isolated and that there was no ongoing threat to the community.
Community impact and investigation
Bakersfield Police Department said its statement of condolences recognized the impact on both families, and CBS News quoted police saying, "Two young lives and two families have been forever changed by an act of violence."
“"Two young lives and two families have been forever changed by an act of violence"”
The Independent also included the same police condolence language, quoting that "Two young lives and two families have been forever changed by an act of violence, and we extend our compassion to everyone affected by this tragedy."
KGET reported that the 15-year-old was taken into custody in the 7500 block of Stockdale Highway and that investigators said a fight involving several people led up to the shooting.
Fox News Digital reported that the gun used in the shooting has not been recovered and that investigators do not believe there are any additional suspects outstanding.
In a separate incident also investigated by authorities, KTLA said a call about shots being fired came in around 8:52 p.m. Friday in the 1400 block of Imperial Highway in West Athens, but deputies were unable to locate evidence of a shooting or victims, and authorities confirmed the incidents were not connected.