California high school football coach shot after breaking up fight on campus
A California high school football coach was wounded after he broke up a fight during an on-campus shooting Tuesday, members of the school community said.
Vallejo police responded to the shooting in front of Vallejo High School about 3:45 p.m., the police department said in a statement. A fight among several students and “some unknown males” preceded the shooting. A school staff member broke it up, police said.
“Some of the involved subjects fled the area in a dark-colored sedan while shooting back toward the remaining group. The staff member was struck by at least one bullet and suffered a non-life-threatening injury,” police said.
Police did not release the identity of the staff member who was shot. However, NBC Bay Area reported that there was an outpouring of concern from friends and students who said the victim was football defensive coordinator Joe Pastrana, known as “Coach Joe.”
Pastrana and his relatives could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.
Vallejo is about 30 miles north of Oakland.
The Times-Herald of Vallejo reported that Pastrana was shot in the hip. He was stable, the newspaper reported.
The shooting occurred, police said, while the campus was bustling with activity, which included a college fair and three classes in session. About 200 student-athletes were also on campus, police said.
After the shooting, the school was placed on lockdown, police said
“This is a senseless act of violence committed by some individuals who do not value human life,” Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams said. “Enough is enough. It’s a sad day anyone is shot in front of our children at school where they should feel safe.”
The motive is unknown, police said.
The campus was offering mental health providers for students who need assistance, and there were to be more safety officers and an increased police presence, they said.
Representatives with the police department could not immediately be reached Wednesday for additional comment.
Police do not suspect those who fled in the sedan were students, according to NBC Bay Area.
Head football coach Mike Wilson told the Times-Herald the team was “taking the news very hard.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
