A shooting at a high school football game in Bakersfield, California, sent spectators scrambling for safety Friday night, with a video shared on X appearing to capture the moment a shot was fired at Independence High School. A 17-year-old boy was killed in the incident.
The shooting happened on August 21 during a football game between Independence High School and Centennial High School at Independence High School, located at 8001 Old River Road. The Bakersfield Police Department said officers were investigating the incident and confirmed there was no active shooter at the scene.
“We are at Independence High School for a shooting investigation. There is no active shooter, but we ask that the community stay out of the area while officers conduct an investigation,” police said.
A video shared on X appears to show the moment the gunshot was fired during the football game.
The footage shows people reacting as the situation at the stadium quickly turns chaotic. Other videos circulating online showed spectators rushing away from the football field and a heavy police presence outside the school.
The video should be viewed with caution because authorities have not publicly confirmed that the footage captures the exact moment of the shooting. HT.com could not verify the authenticity of this video.
According to Eyewitness News Bakersfield, an Independence High School staff member said a fight had broken out during the game before the shooting.
One person was shot in the chest, according to the report, although the victim's condition was not immediately known. Police had also not released details about a suspect.
The Bakersfield Police Department asked members of the public to stay away from the area while officers conducted their investigation.
The shooting also prompted a prayer during another local football game.
According to Bakersfield Now's report on the prayer gathering, the Bakersfield Christian High School and Faith Lutheran High School football teams joined together in prayer at halftime amid the shooting investigation.
The Bakersfield Police Department had not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the identity or condition of the person who was shot, or a suspect.
Asmi is a digital content producer covering international affairs, technology, business, and trending news. She writes and edits digital-first stories with a focus on delivering timely, accurate, and engaging coverage for online audiences. She produces news across a wide range of topics, combining strong editorial judgment with audience insights to make complex developments accessible and relevant. Her work includes breaking news, explainers, and feature stories, with an emphasis on clarity, verification, and speed in a fast-paced digital newsroom. She is particularly interested in global politics, emerging technologies, media, and internet culture, and enjoys translating complex developments into reader-friendly stories. Asmi holds a master's degree in English and has a strong foundation in research, editing, and digital publishing. Her published work reflects a commitment to factual reporting, accessible storytelling, and audience-centric journalism. She continues to explore evolving trends in digital news and multimedia storytelling while contributing to coverage that informs and engages readers.Read More
