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1300+Bakersfield, CA — New details have emerged in the case against the 15-year-old boy charged in the fatal shooting at Independence High School’s football game on August 21. Kern County District Attorney Zimmer confirmed that even if the teen is convicted of first-degree murder, California’s SB-1391 law caps his confinement at four to seven years.
The Incident That Took Place at the Independence High School Football Game
Bakersfield police say a 17-year-old boy died after the shooting broke out during a football game at Independence High School. The suspect, now 15, has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, a gang enhancement, and personally using a firearm to cause death.
He also faces a separate charge for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, along with a probation violation tied to a prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon involving a knife.
Why the Teen Cannot Be Tried as an Adult
Under SB-1391, California law bars prosecutors from transferring children under 15 into adult court, regardless of the severity of the charges. DA Zimmer said the outcome is not a matter of discretion for her office, calling it a requirement under state law rather than a decision her office is free to make.
She noted that even a first-degree murder conviction in juvenile court carries a maximum confinement period of four to seven years under the current statute.
Zimmer said she supports rehabilitation for most juvenile offenders, but argued that some cases involve conduct serious enough that the offender should face adult consequences.
Defense Attorney Weighs In
Defense attorney Marc Anthony Raimondo told reporters he supports SB-1391 despite the impact on the victim’s family. He argued that resources are better spent on rehabilitation than punishment, and suggested that reducing gang violence requires broader changes at home and in local communities, not just changes to sentencing law.
A Case That Raises Questions for Victims’ Families
Cases like this one highlight a difficult reality for families affected by violent crime in California: the criminal justice system and the civil justice system serve very different purposes.
A criminal sentence, however limited, does not address the financial losses, medical bills, or long-term hardship a family may face after losing a loved one.
Families of victims in shootings, assaults, or other violent incidents may have the right to pursue a wrongful death or personal injury claim separately from any criminal proceedings, regardless of the outcome in criminal court.
Bakersfield Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been affected by a shooting or violent incident in Bakersfield or elsewhere in Kern County, Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer can help you understand your legal options.
A civil claim, such as a wrongful death claim, can proceed independently of any criminal case and may provide a path toward compensation for medical expenses, lost income, funeral costs, and emotional suffering.
Contact Attorney Jeff’s Bakersfield law offices today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
About the Author
JEFFREY FAYNGOR, ESQ.
Jeffrey Fayngor is the founder of Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer and an experienced personal injury attorney dedicated to representing accident victims. He earned his J.D. from Whittier College School of Law and has recovered over $120 million for injured clients. He has built his practice around helping injury victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.