Fight after Patterson High graduation escalates to shots fired

A fistfight between Norteño and Sureño gang members after the Patterson High School graduation ceremony Thursday night “ruined what should have been a great night for a lot of kids,” the city’s police chief said Friday.

The fight occurred about 9:30 p.m. in the school’s visitor parking lot near North Salado Avenue and North Seventh Street, according to a post by the Patterson Joint Unified School District on Facebook on Thursday night. “The fight spilled onto the street, where shots were fired into the air by one of the individuals involved in the melee. Fortunately, no one was hit, but emergency responders provided medical treatment to two individuals injured in the melee.

“The incident did not involve our graduates or participants in the graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, it did cast a pall over what was a joyous event for our seniors and their families, as graduates were gathered at the practice field when the incident occurred.”

Police Chief Jeff Dirkse said several people suffered minor injuries in the fight. The shots fired into the air injured no one, he confirmed, nor was there any evidence that nearby cars or structures were hit. No arrests have been made, Dirkse said. He did not know how many people were involved in the fight.

Two deputies were working the graduation, the chief said, but at the time the fight erupted, they were responding to a report of a disturbance at the gate, which turned out to be nothing.

They immediately moved to the area of the fight, but it was over quickly. When the shots were fired, the combatants rapidly dispersed, Dirkse said.

“I’m a little frustrated in that there were 3,000 to 4,000 people at this event and nobody’s really saying anything,” the chief said. “I have to think at least 200 to 300 people saw the physical fight. ...

“As chief, it personally frustrates me that these gang members’ actions ruined a great night for the kids who’ve really been working hard.”

Friday on Facebook, Dirkse posted a message of his own: “We are actively and aggressively investigating this incident, but we need people to come forward with information. ... If you saw anything, please contact Patterson Police as soon as possible either by phone (209-892-5071) or send us a Facebook message.”

The high school’s Sober Grad Night celebration on campus went on as scheduled, said Shawn Posey, district assistant superintendent of welfare and attendance.

Students’ mood bounced back quickly once they realized the fight was not student-related, he said, and “we had one of our bigger turnouts.”

Some parent volunteers stepped up to help staff the perimeter of the campus as a precaution, he added.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Fight after Patterson High graduation escalates to shots fired."