Teen killed, 11-year-old among 3 injured in shooting after Fairfield school graduation, police say

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KGO) -- A high school graduation celebration turned deadly Wednesday night when gunfire erupted at a ceremony, leaving one teenager dead and three others injured, including an 11-year-old, authorities said.

The shooting happened during a Sem Yeto High School graduation ceremony held at Fairfield High School. Police said they received reports of gunfire around 7:15 p.m.

An 18-year-old was killed and emergency responders transported three other surviving victims -- ages 11, 20 and 25 -- to area hospitals.

Authorities have not said whether the victims were students or connected to the ceremony.

While investigators stated there is no ongoing threat to the community, authorities have not announced any arrests or identified a suspect.

The gunfire broke out in a parking lot next to the field where families and students had gathered for the graduation. Police say there were 1,000 people in attendance at the event and the shooting was witnessed by hundreds of people.

Neighbor Shawn Richardson said she heard the shots from her home.

"I was laying down in my room watching TV, and I heard the pop," Richardson said. "I had my window open, and I heard the popping of the guns."

At first, Richardson said she hoped the sounds were fireworks but quickly realized something was wrong.

"I assumed from what I saw in the activity and scream, the screaming and the rushing of the people, that there was actually somebody was injured," she said.

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A former student who came to the campus after hearing about the incident said the violence left her shaken.

"Kind of traumatized for the people, everyone here that had to witness it," she said. "It's outrageous really, it's sad, prayers for everyone that had been affected by it and I'm just so sorry you all had to go through that."

Police said the shooting occurred toward the end of the event but declined to provide further details about what led up to it.

The incident comes as the community was already on edge following recent headlines involving Fairfield High School, including an apparent assault of a student by a police officer that was captured on video.

Richardson said the back-to-back incidents have been difficult to process.

"My kids went to Fairfield High, it's a good school, so stuff's just happening all over the world," she said.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District confirms that Friday's Fairfield High School graduation will be moved to Armijo High School "out of respect for our grieving community."

The change comes after a petition began circulating online calling for the graduation to be moved to a different location amid concerns about safety.

In a news release, Fairfield police said the department, "extends its deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. We understand this incident has caused significant concern within our community. While the investigation remains ongoing, Fairfield Police investigators are working diligently to identify those responsible and ensure the continued safety of our community."

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