BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Attackers have wounded 14 people, two critically, in a shooting after a party in California’s Central Valley.
It happened shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday in Bakersfield.
Kern County Sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt tells KNX-AM radio that homeowners allowed their daughter to host the party. She promoted it on social media and about 150 people arrived—many uninvited.
The parents broke up the party and the visitors—mainly 15- to 18-year-olds—streamed into the front yard and street.
Pruitt says that’s when three people came up the street and opened fire on the crowd. At least one person reportedly fired back.
The Bakersfield Californian reports that children as young as 13 were shot, running to escape the two gun-wielding teenagers and a third who police suspect were tossed from the house party and came back for revenge.
People were hit in the arms, legs and chest. The critically injured are expected to survive.
Authorities say the attack may have been gang-related.
The Californian reports that the number of violent shootings in the Bakersfield area has risen to at least 50 since the start of April.
“At some point, people who were not invited showed up,” he said. About 150 people showed up, and “at some point, it got out of control,” Pruitt told the Los Angeles Times. “They did leave, and we believe it was those individuals who left the party that came back and opened fire on the crowd,” Pruitt noted.
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