Violence Moves a Prep Site

Fearing gang retaliation stemming from a recent local shooting, administrators from Carson and San Pedro high schools agreed to move today’s football game between the schools out of the area.

The game, originally scheduled for tonight at Daniels Field near San Pedro High, will be played this afternoon at University High in West Los Angeles, about 25 miles from the South Bay schools.

The change was prompted by a shooting in San Pedro last Friday afternoon that allegedly involved gang members from San Pedro and Carson. There was one fatality, Lefanoga Cruz Asoau Jr., a 15-year-old student from San Pedro.

The Carson-San Pedro game was changed Monday to an afternoon kickoff because of the incident. Amid growing concerns of retaliation, administrators and local law enforcement officials suggested the change in venue.

“There are people who feel we shouldn’t give in, but I didn’t see this as giving in,” said Pat Moretta, San Pedro’s vice principal. “Although we could have made the game safe inside Daniels Field, we couldn’t guarantee safety for those coming in, and that concerned us. Safety has to be a top concern.”

Each school stands to lose thousands of dollars in gate receipts and concessions. San Pedro, a City Section title contender, regularly plays in front of crowds of 3,000 or more.

San Pedro has one remaining home game, on Nov. 8 against Wilmington Banning. That game will be played in the afternoon.