REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) — A fight broke out during a graduation ceremony for Kings Canyon Unified School District’s alternative education programs, leading to multiple arrests and disrupting what was meant to be a milestone event for students.
Tuesday’s ceremony, which was held at Reedley High School’s football stadium. Cell phone video captured by an ABC30 insider shows the moment the altercation began as graduates’ names were being read.
The video shows two young men punching each other before two others join in. Another graduate is seen attempting to separate them.
After the initial confrontation appears to subside, a second altercation breaks out, with more people exchanging punches. The video also shows attendees rushing onto the field, including a woman in a brown shirt who can be seen striking another person.
Police officers and district administrators moved quickly to calm the situation, and several individuals were escorted off the field.
“The whole point of graduating high school is to learn to become a better person as well,” said Luis Tapia, a Parlier resident. “I think they should’ve done better. They should’ve known.”
Family members of Adam Velasquez, one of the men arrested, said the incident was not gang-related. They described him as a 19-year-old who worked hard to earn his diploma after his brother was killed several years ago, and said he wanted to make his family proud.
According to his family, Velasquez was waiting in line to receive his diploma when another graduate insulted his late brother unprovoked, leading to the confrontation. They said his emotions got the best of him.
On Wednesday evening, families gathered nearby at Reedley High School’s theater for another graduation ceremony. The chaos from Tuesday is still fresh in the minds of several parents.
“You got to respect everybody here. It’s a family event. Whatever issues you have, whatever is going on, leave it at the door,” said Curtis Wood, an Orange Cove resident and parent.
“We got women here, we got kids here. Everybody’s here. This is their time. It’s not ours, it’s not about us. It’s not about our problems. It’s about them succeeding,” Wood added.
The district released a statement saying:
“Despite this incident, the focus of the evening remained on celebrating our graduates and their accomplishments. Thanks to the security measures in place and the quick response from Reedley Police, district staff, and site administrators, the situation was resolved promptly and the graduation ceremony continued with minimal disruption.”
Velasquez’s family said he did not get to walk or obtain his diploma because of the incident. They added that they do not justify the behavior and understand there are consequences.
