Teen Killed, Three Wounded in Shooting After California High School Graduation
A shooting erupted in the parking lot of Fairfield High School shortly after a graduation ceremony ended Wednesday evening, leaving an 18-year-old dead and three others wounded, including an 11-year-old, authorities said.
Officers responded to the scene around 7:15 p.m. local time, about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco, according to Fairfield Police Department Officer Michelle Belyea, who spoke with CNN affiliate KCRA. The wounded victims included an 11-year-old child and two adults, ages 20 and 25. The 18-year-old victim later died from injuries sustained in the attack, Belyea confirmed.
“This is a very active incident,” Belyea said, adding that an investigation is ongoing and there is no indication of an “ongoing threat to the community at this time.” Authorities have not released any details about a suspect.
The shooting took place at a graduation ceremony for Sem Yeto High School, which shares a campus with Fairfield High, according to the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Witnesses described scenes of chaos. One attendee told KCRA he heard gunshots while photographs were being taken in the parking lot. Amanda Prieto, who lives near the school, said she heard the shots from her backyard and looked over the fence to see people screaming and running. “It was horrific,” she said. Her 17-year-old son attends the school, and she said she was “immediately terrified.” Her husband, Luis Prieto, noted that emergency crews responded quickly with patrol vehicles and ambulances.
The incident marks the latest act of gun violence tied to a school event in the United States, reviving debates over campus security and the broader public safety challenges at large gatherings. School districts across California have increasingly reviewed safety protocols for commencement ceremonies, though no official changes have been announced in Fairfield. The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts are with the individuals affected and as soon as we have more details we will share that with you.”
CNN has reached out to police and the Solano County Sheriff’s Office for further information.