No shooting at Los Angeles Southwest College: Football team coach clarifies amid reports on social media
Social media reports of a shooting at Los Angeles Southwest College on August 21 appear to be unfounded. The college’s football team coach issued a clarification on X.
“There was not a shooting at Los Angeles Southwest College tonight. Fake news. Tonight’s game between Kingdrew and San Pedro High School,” Steven Lewis wrote.
What claims were made about the shooting?
Coach Lewis’ post comes amid several claims about a possible shooting at the Los Angeles Southwest College.
“Hearing about some sort of evacuation taking place Los Angeles SouthWest College. Anyone know what’s up? Heard there’s a football game going on as well,” one page had noted. Another remarked “A bunch of people were running and then what sounded like a gunshot went off. Sheriffs secured the area within a few minutes.” One person wrote that the Citizen app had noted it was a shooting, but this could not be verified.
Another said “Evacuations Underway After Shots Fired Near Football Field at Los Angeles Southwest College!”. A local alerts page with over 180,000 followers also wrote “Imperial/Budlong: Shots fired during a football game at Southwest College. LASD trying to get the crowd out of the area.” Another page shared this saying “Possible shots fired during a San Pedro vs. King Drew high school football game at Los Angeles Southwest College (near Imperial Highway and Budlong Avenue in South LA).” The first post now appears to have been deleted, but a screenshot has been attached for the same.
The reports of shooting at LASC came amid the shooting incident that took place at Independence High School in Bakersfield, California, where one person was shot in the chest during the football game there.
Who is Steven Lewis?
Steven Lewis holds the title of Director of Player Personnel / Director of Football Operations. His bio on the SWITCH website reads “Coach Lewis is in his 11th season as a coach under Head Coach Miller’s staff. During this time he has helped with the growth and development of the program. As both mentor and counsel for student athletes on academic and athletic concerns. Assisted in successfully sending multiple players to universities.”
“Coach Lewis obtained an AA Liberal Arts degree from Los Angeles Southwest College and has earned his Bachelor of Science degree from California Coast University. Coach Lewis is a member of the American Football Coaches Association where he sits of the meeting room committee,” it also notes.
