2 shot at Athens area high school

ATHENS, Calif. Two people were confirmed shot.

A 12-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man were shot multiple times, according to L.A. County Fire Dept. Spokesman James Barnes. They were treated in the school's gym and were transported to a hospital.

"I'm coming out and I just see some guys going at it, like they're going to fight or whatever. And I see this guy named Richard that I knew and I was just telling Richard and them like, 'Just go back. Go away.' And I just had a feeling that something was going to happen. But, I didn't know what," said Kevin Bailey, a witness.

The shooting occured just moments after a football game had ended at about 5:50 p.m. The terrified crowd ran for cover.

"Maybe like two or three minutes later ... gunshots. Everybody started running to the south end of the football field," said Washington High Assistant Football Coach Cedrick Ledet.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department, L.A. City and L.A. County Fire departments responded.

A suspect was reportedly seen running between apartment buildings nearby. Police were searching the area.

Investigators say at least one suspect, and possibly as many as three, opened fire.

Parents were desperate to find their kids.

"Of course I was thinking about my son. Just making sure my son was OK. And I ran into the locker room because this is my worst fear, that something would happen to my son," said Bailey.

The 18-year-old male, who was apparently targeted in the shooting. He was shot multiple times by the suspects.

"He was a former player of ours. Last year, he graduated last year. Never gave us no problems, always going to class. It's just sad. In fact, he's playing football right now at El Camino College," said Ledet.

The high school is located at 10860 S. Denker Ave., at the intersection of W. 109th Street and Normandie Avenue.

A Sheriff's deputy on the way to the scene collided with a passenger car on Normandie Ave. One person was injured in the passenger car. All lanes were closed at Normandie and traffic was temporarily diverted.

The suspects are still at large.

Both victims of the shooting are in stable condition.

 

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