Police in Oakland confirmed Friday that one person had been arrested in a shooting at Skyline High School following a graduation ceremony on Thursday eveningan incident that Oakland Unified called “heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable.”
In an update to the Oakland Police Department’s social media accounts, authorities said they had arrested multiple people and arrested one person in connection with the school shooting. Authorities noted that additional suspects are still being sought.
Officers responded to Skyline High School on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. after reports of the shooting. A preliminary investigation by officers revealed that two groups of people got into an argument in the school parking lot as people were leaving the graduation ceremony.
the police said The altercation escalated and a gunfight broke out where several people were injured by gunfire. Police also noted that officers initially found two injured individuals on scene who were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Further investigation revealed that there was a third shooting victim in a local hospital. Police said all three victims are expected to survive.
The Oakland Unified School District also released a statement Friday about the Skyline shooting.
“What happened Thursday evening following Skyline High School’s graduation ceremony was heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable. The incident occurred after the ceremony had concluded and after many students, families and staff had left campus,” said the statement attributed to OUSD Superintendent Dr. Kyla said Johnson-Trammell. “Some people remained on the field to complete the celebration and some staff were cleaning up when the shooting occurred. I would like to thank Skyline and District staff who were on scene at the time and responded immediately to take control of this incident to take over challenging situation until police could arrive.”
Johnson-Trammell also said, “As a community, we must not tolerate violence and instead work together to eliminate it in Oakland. I know many of us share this collective frustration and devastation, and that our hearts are with the victims of this incident, their loved ones, and each graduate and their extended community who attended the ceremony to celebrate this unique achievement.”
Following the incident, additional support staff were available for Skyline students, faculty and staff on Friday.
Police investigators are actively searching for additional shooters and witnesses to the incident and are asking community members – especially anyone who attended the graduation ceremony and has videos and/or photos of the incident to email them cidvideos@oaklandca.gov or contact the OPD Felony Assault Unit at (510)238-3426.
