BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Bakersfield Police Department is providing new insight into gang activity in the city after a deadly shooting at an Independence High School football game Friday night was confirmed to be gang-related.
Seventeen-year-old Levi Jermaine Carter Brown was shot during the football game Friday. A 15-year-old has since been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting.
Bakersfield police announced the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect in a deadly shooting that left a 17-year-old dead during a football game at Independence High School on Friday, August 21, 2026. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX, BPD
BPD confirmed Monday that investigators determined the shooting was gang-related. The department has also increased its focus on preventing potential retaliatory violence in the days following the shooting.
Lieutenant Kyle Ursery with BPD’s Special Enforcement Unit said investigators believe there is a conflict between two rival gangs, although the circumstances surrounding that conflict remain under investigation.
“That’s still under investigation…we just hear things, you know, through our intelligence that we gather. And there’s some type of conflict between the two rival gangs,” Ursery said.
BPD says gang involvement is reaching younger people
The age of the suspect has also raised questions about youth involvement in gangs in Bakersfield.
When asked whether BPD is seeing a problem with younger people becoming involved, Ursery said it is an ongoing concern.
“They’re getting younger and younger. It’s definitely a concern of ours,” Ursery said.
Ursery said the nature of gang activity has also changed during his time in law enforcement, pointing to technology, social media and the way conflicts can escalate.
“Of course, you have social media, you have all kinds of different outlets, you know, the cell phones and all that kind of stuff. back then you really didn’t have any of that,” Ursery said.
Six known gang members arrested following Friday’s shooting
Following the deadly shooting, BPD said its Special Enforcement Unit began working to identify and prevent potential retaliation.
According to the department, those efforts resulted in two separate incidents involving six people BPD identified as known gang members.
On Saturday night, officers arrested 18-year-old Jaheim Leverett and two 15-year-olds after police said they were found with a firearm, face coverings and gloves.
Early Monday morning, officers stopped another vehicle occupied by 18-year-old Adam Porras, 18-year-old Sean Reyes and a 17-year-old. Police said two firearms were recovered along with masks and gloves.
The Bakersfield Police Department investigators confirmed the shooting at Independence High School during the football game was gang-related. Officers have since made multiple arrests and recovered guns. PHOTO: BPD
Ursery said the circumstances surrounding the two incidents raised concerns about potential retaliation connected to Friday’s shooting.
“However, you have two separate incidents where members of a particular gang, that being related to Mr. Brown, from the Eastside Crips, were stopped in vehicle, traffic stops, and they had gloves, masks, and firearms in those vehicles,” Ursery said.
BPD would not say whether those individuals were being monitored before Friday’s shooting or disclose what intelligence led officers to them.
“We can’t say that at this time. However, they were contacted in traffic stops, two separate occasions,” Ursery said.
Investigators are also still working to determine more about the firearms recovered during those arrests, including where they came from and whether they may be connected to other crimes.
“It’s still under investigation at this time,” Ursery said.
Police continue watching for potential retaliation
BPD says officers continue gathering information and investigating possible threats following Friday’s shooting.
Ursery said the department is using multiple sources of information as officers watch for additional violence.
Bakersfield police confirm a 17-year-old boy died after a shooting happened during Independence High School’s football game on Friday, August 21, in Bakersfield, CA. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
“We’re taking every little piece of intelligence we can gather, whether it be monitoring social media, phone calls, out in the streets, just patrolling,” Ursery said.
“We’re gonna investigate in every little lead that we have, the opportunity to investigate, and we just wanna make sure and let the community know that everything’s safe right now, and we’re gonna do everything that we can do, and we’re gonna prevent gang violence,” Ursery said.
Social media is one area receiving attention from investigators.
“Social media is pretty much out of control these days,” Ursery said.
Ursery said information about violent incidents can circulate online almost immediately and that investigators look into potential threats they become aware of.
How widespread are gangs in Bakersfield?
Beyond the immediate investigation, Ursery provided an estimate of the number of active gangs BPD is dealing with in Bakersfield.
“I mean, there’s several active gangs here in Bakersfield. We probably have anywhere from six to seven crip gangs and probably eight to 10 hispanic gangs here in town,” Ursery said.
Ursery was referring to approximately six to seven Crip gangs and eight to 10 Hispanic gangs in Bakersfield.
He said gang activity was once more closely associated with specific territories, but that has changed as Bakersfield has expanded.
“Well, it used to be in particular areas, you know? We would be able to have them in their traditional territories. However, Bakersfield has grown, people have moved all over throughout the city, and now it’s just pretty much all over the place,” Ursery said.
What can police do before violence occurs?
The shooting and subsequent arrests have also raised a difficult question: If police know who many gang members are, what can officers legally do before a conflict turns violent?
Ursery emphasized that gang membership by itself is not a crime.
“It’s not illegal to be a gang member. It’s the offenses and the crimes that they commit on behalf of that gang,” Ursery said.
He further explained that officers need an underlying offense before they can make an arrest.
“We can’t arrest them just for being a gang member. If they’re in possession of firearms, burglary, carjackings, anything like that and they’re an active gang member, then it’s something that we can charge with the gang participation,” Ursery said.
How are young people getting access to guns?
Ursery was also asked how young people involved in gangs are getting access to firearms.
“They can get them all over the place, unfortunately,” Ursery said.
He encouraged gun owners to secure firearms in their homes.
“You know, there’s, like I said before, hopefully everybody locks their firearms up safely,” Ursery said.
Ursery did not identify one specific source as the primary way young people are obtaining guns.
BPD points to prevention efforts
BPD acknowledged in its Monday press release that enforcement alone will not solve the problem and called on parents, schools, community organizations, mentors and neighbors to help prevent future violence.
Ursery pointed to programs including the Bakersfield Police Activities League and the City of Bakersfield’s Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention as resources available to young people and their families.
When asked what needs to happen outside of law enforcement to prevent gang-related incidents, Ursery said community involvement is part of the equation.
BPD says no active threats at this time
BPD and Kern High School District Police also planned to have officers present at a vigil following Friday’s shooting.
Ursery said police wanted people to be able to attend without officers interfering with the purpose of the gathering.
“We want people to be there, with all due respect, and just try to be there, you know, and show the support as well,” Ursery said.
At the time of the interview Monday, Ursery said BPD was not aware of an active threat of retaliation.
He said BPD will continue investigating information that could indicate additional violence while encouraging members of the community to report concerns.
BPD says people concerned about a young person’s involvement in gangs or violence can contact the City of Bakersfield Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention at 661-852-7000.
Anyone with information about potential violence can contact the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111. BPD’s Gang Hotline can be reached at 661-325-GANG (4264). In an emergency or when there is an immediate threat to someone’s safety, call 911.