A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a gang-related shooting that killed a 17-year-old during a high school football game in Bakersfield, California, authorities announced.
The shooting occurred Friday evening at Independence High School, where the school was hosting Centennial High School for its season opener. Police stated that the incident was not directly related to the football game itself but occurred while it was in progress, within the stadium's exterior fence but outside the barrier around the field and track.
Officers responding to the scene found the 17-year-old victim with gunshot wounds. He was transported to Kern Medical, where he was pronounced dead. The victim and the arrested suspect both attended a different high school, according to police.
The Bakersfield Police Department announced the 15-year-old's arrest on Saturday on suspicion of murder, firearm-related offenses, and participating in a criminal street gang. Investigators indicated that the suspect and victim knew each other and that the shooting was not a random act.
Reports from the scene described a fight involving several individuals occurring before the gunfire erupted, causing players and spectators to flee. The game was subsequently canceled. The weapon used in the shooting has not been recovered, and police do not believe there are any other outstanding suspects.