A shooting reported near Manteca High School during a football game Friday night caused panic among spectators and players and ultimately forced officials to stop the game before the third quarter had been completed. The incident occurred outside the football stadium as Manteca High School was playing Chavez High School from Stockton, sending people at the event scrambling for safety after gunfire was reported.
According to the Manteca Police Department, officers received a report of shots fired at approximately 9:27 p.m. near the Winter Gym area, which is located outside the football stadium. Six Manteca police officers had already been assigned to the school because of the football game, allowing officers to respond quickly when the report came in.
Police said officers immediately moved toward the area where the shooting was reported. Three people were detained in connection with the incident, although authorities had not released their identities or provided additional information about what role, if any, they allegedly played in the shooting.
Investigators located a crime scene and recovered shell casings from the ground. Based on the information available to investigators at the time, police said the firearm appeared to have been fired into the air. Authorities also said there was no indication that anyone had been struck by the bullets.
Police said the shooting followed a physical altercation involving people outside the football stadium. During the confrontation, a firearm was reportedly discharged into the air. Because the investigation remained active, the department said only limited information could initially be released while officers worked to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities asked people to stay away from the area as officers continued processing the crime scene and gathering evidence. The shooting occurred with approximately four minutes remaining in the third quarter, when spectators suddenly began reacting to the sound of gunfire and fleeing from the stadium.
The movement of the crowd created an atmosphere of confusion and fear as people attempted to determine what had happened and where they could safely go. With the situation unfolding outside the stadium, officials ultimately decided to call off the remainder of the football game rather than allow the event to continue while the investigation was underway.
The Manteca Police Department expressed relief that no one was reported injured in the shooting. The department also praised the six officers who had already been assigned to the school for the football game, as well as additional patrol officers who responded after the shooting was reported.
The incident nevertheless left spectators, students, families and other members of the community shaken. Daniel Calderon, who said he was attending the game, described watching football players leave the field before noticing people in the stands and surrounding areas beginning to run.
Calderon initially believed that a fight involving players may have caused the sudden commotion. He soon learned, however, that people were reporting that shots had been fired. As the crowd reacted, he said he ran toward a fence with a friend and climbed over it because he was frightened.
Calderon later learned that his friends were safe. He described the experience as deeply frightening and expressed disappointment that young people and families attending what was supposed to be a high school football game had to experience such a situation.
Other community members also expressed concern for the students, athletes, families, school employees and spectators who were at the stadium when the shooting occurred. Kimberlee Roberson said she was relieved by the police report that no one had been injured and encouraged members of the community to continue looking out for one another.
The circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting remain under investigation. Police have not publicly identified the three people who were detained or indicated whether criminal charges will be filed. Authorities also have not released information about a possible motive or explained what led to the confrontation.
The Manteca Police Department is asking anyone who witnessed the incident, recorded video or has information that could help investigators identify those involved to contact police at 209-456-8101. Callers are asked to reference case number 26-04345 when providing information.
As investigators continue reviewing evidence and speaking with witnesses, additional details may emerge about what happened before the firearm was discharged. For now, police have emphasized that no injuries were reported and that the investigation remains active.
