A high school quarterback has been identified as the person who was shot dead during a football game in Bakersfield Friday, August 21. The alleged shooter has been caught.
Levi Brown, 17, was shot dead in the stadium at Independence High School during the team’s season-opening game Centennial High School, according to friends and family, the New York Post reported.
A 15-year-old suspect was later arrested on gang activity and murder charges, according to police.
“A 15-year-old male has been arrested in connection with last night’s shooting. Our hearts are with the family of the 17-year-old who lost his life, & all those impacted by this tragedy. We have a strong community. That strength will carry us forward,” Bakersfield Police Department wrote on X.
Who was Levi Brown?
Vince Carter, Brown’s former football coach, described him as an “exceptional athlete” and dual-threat passer who had “all the talent in the world.”
{{/usCountry}}Vince Carter, Brown’s former football coach, described him as an “exceptional athlete” and dual-threat passer who had “all the talent in the world.”
{{/usCountry}}“There’s no doubt in my mind, he would have been a college football athlete,” Carter, who coached Brown at Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield during his sophomore year, told The California Post.
Carter said that Brown was the father of a one-year-old daughter.
According to Carter, Brown attended the game on Friday with “the wrong crowd” when they encountered the shooter and got involved in a fight. Police said that Brown and the suspect knew each other, adding that “this was not a random act of violence.”
The shooting took place just a few minutes into the game. Players and fans were seen scrambling from the scene.
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Carter wrote in a Facebook post, “It’s hard to put into words how I feel right now, yes he was from where he was from but Levi was a good kid I tried my hardest to help him in any way that I could. I knew football was his outlet and he was really good at it I did everything I could to get him into Garces and give him the opportunity I feel like he deserved. Unfortunately he was around the wrong crowd and was getting mislead and misguided and it hurts to see this is how it ended. Levi had crazy potential and I always believed him it just sucks this is how it ended for my guy. You know coach cj always had your back and I tried to do whatever I could for you. Get your rest kid, I’ll always remember the last 7v7 you played and said “Coach thank you for believing in me” always did and always will. He wasn’t “Baby Kay” to me he was Levi Brown. Get your rest, kid. You’ll always be remembered for much more than how your story ended.”
According to Bakersfield Police Sergeant Eric Celedon, the incident took place just outside the inner chain-link fence where the game was underway. Police said that a fight prompted the shooting.
Police responded just after 8 pm and found Brown suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Kern Medical Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“It’s tragic, and one is too many, especially somewhere where we come to have a good time, to bring our families, and a place where we celebrate, so we understand why somebody would be fearful to come out,” Celedon said.
Following the deadly shooting, a prayer service was held at nearby Bakersfield Christian High School.