BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Three 18-year-old suspects linked to the retaliation for the gang-related shooting of 17-year-old Levi Brown during an Independence High School football game on August 21 appeared in court this week, records show.
Jaheim Antwan Leverett pleaded not guilty on August 25. Sean Adam Reyes and Adam Porras also pleaded not guilty to multiple firearm charges on August 26.
RELATED: 15-year-old arrested in deadly shooting at Independence High football game
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
Bakersfield Police Department investigators confirmed the shooting during the football game on Friday was gang-related and left Brown dead. A 15-year-old boy was arrested for murder and participation in a criminal street gang, and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office charged the teen with murder on Wednesday.
Police said that since the shooting, officers assigned to the department’s Special Enforcement Unit have been actively working to identify and prevent potential retaliatory violence in the community. Police said those efforts have already led to multiple arrests and the recovery of guns.
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
Investigators believe six alleged gang members arrested in two separate incidents were found with guns, masks, gloves and face coverings and may have been preparing for retaliatory acts tied to the ongoing gang conflict.
Bakersfield police said that on Saturday night, Special Enforcement Unit officers arrested 18-year-old Jaheim Leverett and two 15-year-old teens who were found in possession of a gun, face coverings 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
Early Monday morning, BPD officers stopped another vehicle occupied by 18-year-old Adam Porras, 18-year-old Sean Reyes, and a 17-year-old juvenile. Police said during that investigation, officers recovered two guns, along with masks and gloves.
Reyes and Porras are due in court on Sept. 8 for a hearing. Leverett is due in court the following day. Both are being held on bail of $190,000.
Leverett is being held on a $200,000 bail.
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
Editor’s Note: Eyewitness News/BakersfieldNow has chosen to redact the name of the 15-year-old murder suspect due to his age.