Fairfield graduation drew 1,000 attendees but had no police on site before teen was shot dead

FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA: What should have been a night of celebration for Sem Yeto High School graduates ended in tragedy when an 18-year-old graduate was shot dead outside Fairfield High School in California on June 3. But as investigators search for the gunman, another question has emerged: Why were there no police officers at an event attended by about 1,000 people?

According to Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy, the school district did not request police officers for the graduation because the Sem Yeto, a continuation high school, event is typically considered a smaller event. The decision has come under scrutiny after four people, including an 11-year-old child, were shot in the parking lot outside Schafer Stadium, with one victim later dying from his injuries. 

No officers at the ceremony

Aayokie Champaco remembered seeing the 18-year-old graduate smiling and looking back at the crowd during the Sem Yeto High School graduation ceremony on June 3. Minutes after receiving his diploma, he was shot in the parking lot outside Fairfield High School, where the ceremony was being held.

Police said about 1,000 people attended the graduation. Yet no officers were assigned to the event because the district did not request security, according to Mayor Moy.

Speaking to KRON4, Moy said school districts typically request officers for larger graduation ceremonies, but Sem Yeto graduations are usually viewed as smaller events.

The shooting occurred around 7.15 pm after the ceremony ended. The gunman opened fire in a crowded parking lot, killing an 18-year-old graduate and injuring three others, ages 11, 20, and 25. Officers were dispatched only after reports of gunfire came in.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as families and graduates ran for safety. One witness told local media they were surprised there was no police presence at the event despite the large crowd.

Witnesses recall chaos

Witnesses described a scene of panic as gunfire erupted moments after the graduation ceremony ended.

Jacob, who attended the event, told KTVU that he was near the area where graduates were taking photos when the shooting began.

“Out of nowhere, some dude ran up, and when I looked up, he pointed the gun and started shooting. I backed up, he ran, and I just went around, and my mom was back in the stadium, so I went to make sure she was OK.”

Another witness, Lizette Ramirez, said confusion quickly turned into fear. “I don't know what happened. I'm coming to the parking lot when I hear the shots. I see my niece, my mom, and she says, ‘Run! run!' ”

Residents living near the school also described the terrifying moments after the gunfire began.

Amanda Prieto, who lives next to Fairfield High School, told KCRA that she initially did not realize what she was hearing. “It dawned on me quickly how close that rapid fire was. I looked over the fence, and people were just screaming and running through the parking lot. It was horrific.”

Questions about security were also raised by attendees. A witness identified only as Alyssa told the outlet she was frustrated by what she saw as a recurring problem at the school. “People keep getting shot at this school, and it's [not] getting fixed. It's sad. It's really sad.”

The witness accounts have added to scrutiny over the decision not to have officers assigned to the ceremony. While police said about 1,000 people attended the event, officers were only dispatched after shots were fired. The following day, the Fairfield Police Department announced increased security at all remaining graduation ceremonies in the district.

Security plan changed after shooting

Within a day of the shooting, the Fairfield Police Department announced it would increase security at all remaining graduation ceremonies in the district.

In a statement, the department said it would assign more officers to upcoming graduations and seek assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies to provide additional staffing.

The move came as community members questioned how a graduation ceremony attended by hundreds of families and guests was held without dedicated security. Police have since said the shooting appears to have been targeted, though investigators have not publicly identified the intended victim or announced any arrests.