On May 31, 2023, 20-year-old Austin Ryan House of Cabazon, California, was fatally shot near Banning High School in Banning, California. The shooting occurred about 5:30 p.m. while a graduation ceremony was underway at the school’s Performing Arts Center. A school resource officer saw a masked person fire into a black sedan driven by House; the vehicle struck a light pole and stopped. Despite prompt medical attention, House died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

A 19-year-old, identified as Daveyon Dickie Lee Woodley of Banning, fled but was found hiding under a vehicle in a nearby garage; a loaded handgun was recovered just outside the garage. Woodley was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, discharging a firearm in a school zone, and related firearm and great bodily injury enhancements. The motive remains unclear and authorities have not disclosed any prior connection between Woodley and House. The district increased security at school events and offered counseling; visitation and funeral services for Austin House were held June 20 and 21, 2023, with burial at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about what led to this attack, please share what is known.