BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield police confirmed a 17-year-old boy died from a shooting at Independence High School Friday night, during the school’s first high school football game.
The Bakersfield Police Department said on Friday, August 21, 2026, after 8 p.m., officers were called to reports of shots at Independence High School.
Police said the shooting happened south of the football field, inside the gates of the football stadium, as the football game was happening. Friday night was also the first football game for high schools around Kern County.
When officers arrived, they found a 17-year-old boy suffering injuries from gunshot wounds.
Police said the victim was taken to Kern Medical, where he was later pronounced dead.
Bakersfield Police Sergeant Eric Celedon said, “We know that families look forward to coming out here every Friday night and seeing their kids play on this field. Based on our preliminary investigation, we believe this began as an isolated incident that begin as an altercation between a group of individuals, which ultimately resulted in the shooting.”
Police said there is no threat to the community.
Bakersfield police and the Kern High School Police Department will be working at Independence High to process the scene to “make sure whoever committed this homicide is brought to justice.”
Police said there is limited, if any, suspect information at this time.
BPD said it has not been able to verify or validate videos circulating on Kern County Activities, a local Instagram page.
Anyone with information regarding this can call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.