Fight, gun sighting prompts shut down of Sierra High's homecoming game

Aaron Leathley and Shannon Mia Belt, The Record
Sierra High Principal Anthony Chapman, center, addresses large crowd of 1475 students inside the Teicheira Memorial Stadium at Sierra High School for the celebration of the 25th anniversary for school opening. On Friday, Sept. 16, the stadium was closed part way through Sierra High's homecoming game following reports of a firearm sighting, police said.

Update: Modesto at Sierra game was rescheduled and played on Monday Sept. 19. Sierra won 59-27.

Sierra High School's homecoming football game against Modesto ended two quarters early on Friday after a fight broke out and witnesses said they spotted a gun in someone's waistband, according to Manteca Police.

The fight involved a group of students from multiple high schools and was first reported by a Sierra High administrator, police said. Witnesses to the fight said part of a gun was visible in a person's waistband, according to police.

How did he pass security checks? A Lincoln High student took out a gun during a conflict

No shots were fired, and officers did not find the person reported to have the firearm, the post stated.

The remainder of Sierra High's homecoming game was canceled and the stadium closed down, police said. Sierra High had been scheduled to play Modesto High School at 7 p.m.

Sierra High School plays Stagg High School in Stockton in September 2021. On Sept. 16, 2022, witness reports of a firearm at Sierra High's homecoming game against Modesto High School caused the game to be ended early, according to the Manteca Police Department.
Sierra High School plays Stagg High School in Stockton in September 2021. On Sept. 16, 2022, witness reports of a firearm at Sierra High's homecoming game against Modesto High School caused the game to be ended early, according to the Manteca Police Department.

"We saw everybody running. I got word that there was a possible firearm so I sent our kids to the weight room," Sierra head coach Jeffery Harbison said. "We were waiting to see what was happening and on my way there that's when the principal said the game was canceled."

In 2012, three people were shot outside the Edison High School stadium in Stockton during a game between Edison and Franklin High School.

Administration from Sierra and Modesto High are working together to see if the remainder of the game could be played on Monday, according to Harbison.

"It's disappointing that the game was canceled and I feel bad for the kids," Harbison said. "In football it's very limited how many contacts you can have and each contact is a premium, so yeah I really feel bad for the kids."

The Manteca Police Department could not immediately be reached for comment.

Catch up: Details emerge in shooting outside varsity game

Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers public safety and law enforcement. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron.

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow. 

This article originally appeared on The Record: Sierra, Modesto football game shut down by report of fight, gun sighting

Advertisement