A 15-year-old stands accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old at a high school football game in California on August 21, at the stadium at Independence High School in Bakersfield.

Gabriel Torres Reyes reportedly shot Levi Brown, leading to his death. What stands out in the case is Reyes’s history of violence and connection to a local gang.

The accused made his first court appearance on Wednesday, August 26. The prosecutors revealed his criminal history that began in 2025, including incidents of threatening and assaulting his mother with a knife. He also punched and kicked her and later assaulted his stepfather. Reyes also went on a destructive joyride in a stolen vehicle.

Reyes is also allegedly a member of the Warlord Piru Bloods street gang, while Brown belonged to rival East Side Crips gang, prosecutors said.


Reyes appeared in juvenile court for a detention hearing over the first-degree murder charge, violating his probation terms, and possession of a gun by a prohibited person. If he’s found to be guilty, leading up to a conviction, he may serve four to seven years in custody.

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer clarified that the current law prevents Reyes from being charged in adult court. If that were possible, he would have gotten life in prison. She noted, “It’s not our choice. I’m not happy about it.”

According to California state law, anyone 15 years old or younger cannot be tried in adult court. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 8 for a pretrial.

Judge Keenan Perkins ordered the accused to be detained, considering the seriousness of the charges. Police also arrested six other people in connection with the fatal shooting on suspicion of gang-related offenses.

Meanwhile, Brown’s family and friends are grieving the loss of a young life. He also has a one-year-old daughter. His former coach, Vince Carter, said, “There’s no doubt in my mind he would have been a college football athlete.” He called Brown an exceptional athlete.


There were candles and balloons placed in front of Brown’s photo. D’Andra Jones, one of Brown’s godmothers, noted, “We should be able to gather without being in a situation like this.”

She revealed Brown’s mother was in a lot of grief. “It makes me feel good that we have the support because once all this is over, she’s going to be by herself. But then she’ll still have the family support.”

Several community organizations attended the vigil. Mothers Against Gang Violence, present at the vigil, said, “No one wins. We have a child that’s been murdered. We have another one that’s going to prison.”

Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public record.