A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed during a high school football game in Bakersfield on Friday night, sending players and fans scrambling from the scene, authorities said.
The Bakersfield Police Department said they were called to the stadium a little after 8 p.m. For reports of shots fired at Independence High School during the team’s season opener. Police determined the shooting stemmed from a fight during the game.
Bakersfield Police Sergeant Eric Celedon said the shooting happened just outside the inner chain-link fence where the game was being played.
“We know that families look forward to coming out here every Friday night and seeing their kids play on this field,” Celedon said.
“Based on our preliminary investigation, we believe this began as an isolated incident that began as an altercation between a group of individuals, which ultimately resulted in the shooting.”
The victim remains unidentified and there’s no suspect information at this time, police said. Footage from the stadium showed players and fans running from the scene after the shooting.
A prayer service was held at nearby Bakersfield Christian High School after the violent outburst.
In the viral moment, chaos erupted at Independence High School’s season-opening football game when gunfire broke out near the field just after 8 p.m. Friday. Players and spectators fled in panic as the shooting unfolded along the inner chain-link fence surrounding the stadium. The Bakersfield Police Department responded to find the 17-year-old victim dead from his injuries, with the incident traced to an altercation among a group of attendees.
Bakersfield Police continue to investigate the shooting with no suspects identified.