Three wounded, one arrested as gunshots mar Skyline High School graduation

Three people were wounded by gun fire when a dispute between two groups turned violent in the parking lot of Skyline High School after a graduation ceremony Thursday.

Oakland police and California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of multiple gunshots on the north side of campus around 7:45 p.m. Two adult victims, a man and a woman, were in stable condition Friday, according to Oakland police Lt. Robert Trevino. A third victim later turned up at a hospital and also is expected to survive, police said in a news release Friday. They did not say if that person is a juvenile or an adult.

Several people were detained and one was arrested, police said in the release. Police are asking the community for help in identifying additional shooters and witnesses, and are asking for photos and videos of the shooting.

Officers shut down the campus for a few hours while they searched the school, Trevino said.

The violence disrupted what had been a joyous celebration, as shots rang out shortly after the Class of 2024 received their diplomas and as many students and families remained on campus taking photos. 

People took to social media to express concern and frustration. “Skyline High School kids can’t even graduate,” Oakland resident Howard Smith posted on Facebook. “Oakland we have to do better.” 

In a written statement, Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell said the Oakland community must work together to eliminate violence.

“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 every graduate and their extended community who attended the ceremony to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime achievement,” she said. 

Last September, shots rang out at Skyline during the school day, causing a campuswide lockdown. No students were injured, but Skyline was shut down the following day. Three juveniles were eventually arrested and charged in the incident.

“We should all be concerned that we are not doing enough to deflect young people from criminal activity,” Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said in a press release following those arrests.

In 2022, a mass shooting at OUSD’s King Estates school complex left six people wounded, including a carpenter working at Rudsdale High School who later died of his injuries.

Last night’s shooting came during new Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell’s first Police Commission meeting. He left part way through the meeting to be on site at Skyline High School.

His department is asking people to email photos and videos of the shooting to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov, and for anyone with information to contact the OPD Felony Assault Unit at 510-238-3426.

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