Oakland police arrest one person in 'heartbreaking' Skyline High graduation shooting

Oakland police confirmed Friday that one person had been arrested. in shooting at Skyline High School after a graduation ceremony Thursday eveningan incident that Oakland Unified called “heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable.”

In an update posted to the Oakland Police Department's social media accounts, authorities said they had arrested several people and arrested one person in connection with the school shooting. Authorities said other suspects were still being sought.

Officers responded to Skyline High School at 7:45 p.m. Thursday after receiving reports of a shooting. A preliminary investigation by police revealed that two groups of people got into a fight in the school parking lot as people were leaving the graduation ceremony.

“We got completely down on our stomachs and laid on our backs until we stopped hearing gunshots. And so we went into the main office,” said Trayvon Aubry, who graduated Thursday from Skyline High.

The police said the altercation escalated and a shooting broke out several people were shot and injured. Police also noted that officers initially spotted two injured people at the scene, who were transported to an area hospital for treatment. A subsequent investigation determined there was a third shooting victim at an area hospital. Police said all three victims are expected to survive.

Aubry told CBS News Bay Area that he first heard two gunshots and two to three more gunshots shortly after.

“I just hoped my family was OK, because I hoped it wasn't them or one of my friends. It scared me,” he said.

Ethan Swope, another Skyline High graduate, said, “I'm going to try not to let that ruin the experience. The important thing is I was with family, I was with friends.”

Ray Williams, a third-year graduate of Skyline High, said Thursday's shooting was reminiscent of another shooting earlier in the school year. Three minors were arrested following the incident of September 5, 2023which took place on campus.

“We've done this before, honestly it's worse, because our families are here and don't have experience doing this, but we do,” Williams said.

Aubry, who also witnessed the September shooting, said the incident happened during a dice game.

The Oakland Unified School District also released a statement Friday regarding the Skyline shooting.

“What happened after Skyline High School's graduation Thursday night was heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable. The incident occurred after the ceremony had ended and after many students, families and staff had left campus,” the statement attributed to OUSD Superintendent Dr. Kyla said. » Johnson-Trammell said. “Some people remained on the field to finish the celebration and some staff were cleaning up when the shooting occurred. I want to thank the Skyline and District staff who were on site at the time and immediately responded to take control of this difficult situation until the police could arrive.

Johnson-Trammell also said, “As a community, we must not tolerate violence, but rather work together to eliminate it in Oakland. I know that many of us share this collective frustration and devastation, and that our hearts are with the victims of this incident, their loved ones, and all of the graduates and their broader community who attended the ceremony to celebrate this accomplishment unique. »

Additional support staff were available to Skyline students, faculty and staff Friday following the incident.

Police investigators are actively searching for additional shooters and witnesses to the incident and are asking members of the community, particularly anyone who attended the graduation and has video and/or photos of the incident , email them at [email protected] or contact the OPD Felony Assault Unit. at (510)238-3426.