STOCKTON, Calif. — A teenager was killed after a shooting at a Stockton park, feet away from the campus of Cesar Chavez High School, the Stockton Police Department says.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the family of this student, his friends, the Chavez High School Family and the Community of Stockton. We are heartbroken to lose a student who became a victim of gun violence at a park. This hurts us all. We are offering counseling and support to our students and staff during this difficult time,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Traci E. Miller in a statement.
The shooting was reported around 3:07 p.m. Wednesday at Unity Park on Jayden Way.
"That is very concerning, the timeframe and it being in broad daylight, near schools," said Stockton police officer David Scott.
Nearby Cesar Chavez High School went on a brief lockdown as police investigated the off-campus shooting.
"It was off campus at this park, but we immediately put the school on lockdown and that is for the safety of students and teachers and staff," said Melinda Meza director of communications for Stockton Unified School District.
The lockdown was lifted and students were released just before 3:50 p.m.
The gunman's description and the motive for the shooting are unknown.
Police also told ABC10 a second victim was pistol-whipped. They are in stable condition with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.
"What we know right now is that the students were not in class and that they were at this nearby park. We do everything we can to keep the kids safe and we do everything we can to keep our campus safe and we care about students who go to and from school," said Meza.
The shooting comes eight months after a stabbing left a student and another person hurt at the same park.
"It's a priority for us for students to feel safe going to and from school. Efforts will be made with extra patrols in the area to get that sense of security," said Scott.
In a statement, the Stockton Unified School District said the lockdown was put in place out of an abundance of caution.
"The school is on lockdown due to a crime in the area. It is not on campus but out of an abundance of caution, the school will be on lockdown for the safety of our students, teachers and staff," the statement said. "SUSD Department of Public Safety is asking students to avoid Unity Park Area. The park will be closed by law enforcement and will be inaccessible."
The school will have counseling services available for students.
Officials are investigating and asking anyone with information to contact Stockton Crime Stoppers.
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