Antioch police have arrested two male suspects in connection with the gang-related shooting of a Deer Valley High School student near the campus Wednesday morning, police said today.
The 16-year-old boy was shot allegedly by a rival gang member inside a car as he was walking near the school around 8:30 a.m. at Sagebrush Drive near Prewitt Ranch Road, Antioch police Lt. Leonard Orman said. The boy is expected to survive.
Yousuf Mohammad Aziz, 19, and another male suspect were arrested late Wednesday night and early this morning, Antioch police Lt. Leonard Orman said.
Aziz, who was arrested Wednesday night, is in custody at the Antioch Police Department, and authorities are investigating whether he was the shooter or the driver, according to Orman.
Authorities believe Aziz had access to a Lexus sedan, which has been identified as the vehicle used during the shooting. Aziz and the victim allegedly belong to rival street gangs and have had a long-standing feud which prompted the shooting, Orman said.
The other male suspect, who was believed to be the shooter when police arrested him at about 1 a.m. today, provided an alibi and authorities are investigating its credibility, according to Orman.
The shooting occurred after the teen, who was walking with a group, heard loud music coming from the Lexus and started talking to the people inside.
The teen and the people in the car "exchanged words" before someone in the car fired a gun, Orman said.
The bullet entered the boy's arm and traveled into his upper torso. He was airlifted to a hospital and underwent surgery Wednesday.
All schools in the district were locked down until about 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, according to the school district. Classes were in session today.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Diane Aguinaga at (925) 779-6928.
