15-year-old boy arrested in deadly shooting at high school football game in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. () — A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting Friday night during a football game in Bakersfield, police said.

The shooting happened around 8 p.m. at Independence High School, about 20 minutes south of downtown Bakersfield.

A 17-year-old boy, who has not been identified, was killed. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a fight between two groups of people.

“For this to occur anywhere in our city is tragic, and one is too many, especially somewhere where we come to have a good time and bring our families, a place where we celebrate,” said Sgt. Eric Celedon with Bakersfield police. “I am confident that next Friday, everybody will be back out here full-force, enjoying the football games as they are intended.”

The shooting happened on the same night when there was a scare at a different high school football game at Los Angeles Southwest College.

The game was evacuated after an apparent false report of a shooting. At least one person sustained a minor injury while people were dispersing from the area, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Still, no evidence of a shooting was found.