BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Bakersfield Police Department investigators arrested six other teenagers after the shooting at Independence High School.
All of them known to police as members of the East Side Crips criminal street gang, law enforcement said.
They also said the deadly shooting at the school on Friday night is now officially confirmed gang-related.
“The victim Levi Brown was a known associate of the East Side Crips,” said Kyle Ursery, a lieutenant with the Bakersfield Police Department, who oversees the department’s gang unit.
Ursery said the teen arrested for the shooting, “he’s a member of the bloods,”
One day after Brown was shot in the chest and killed, the Bakersfield Special Enforcement Unit officers arrested three people, two 15-year-olds, and 18-year-old Jaheim Leverett.
They were found with a firearm, face coverings and gloves.
Then early Monday morning, three more teens, including a 17-year-old, and 18-year-olds Sean Reyes and Adam Porras, also found with guns, masks and gloves.
“Regarding the individuals that were arrested they are suspected East Side Crips,” Ursery said.
Bakersfield police say they may have been preparing to commit retaliatory acts of violence.
Bakersfield police announce multiple arrests tied to Friday’s deadly shooting at Independence HS
“Our Special Enforcement Unit is out right now, investigating these threats of retaliation, but nothing is concrete and I don’t believe there is any threat to our community,” he added.
The three 18-year-olds arrested have been booked on gang charges, conspiracy to commit crimes and carrying loaded firearms. The three juveniles booking charges have not been released since they are under 18.
The 15-year-old who allegedly shot Levi Brown has not been officially charged by the District Attorney’s Office.
But he is 15, and according to California law, he cannot be tried as an adult. Meaning if he is convicted of Brown’s murder, he will be out of prison when he is 25-years-old.
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