Murder Charge Filed In Fatal Shooting Near Banning High School

BANNING, CA — A Banning man was charged Friday with first-degree murder and other offenses following this week's fatal shooting of a driver just outside Banning High School.

Along with the murder count, Daveyon Dickie Lee Woodley, 19, was charged with a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, discharging a firearm in a school zone and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

He was due to be arraigned Friday afternoon at the Banning Justice Center.

Thursday afternoon, the Banning Police Department announced Woodley's arrest in the killing of 20-year-old Cabazon resident Austin House.

According to police details, at approximately 5:31 p.m. Wednesday officers were called to Banning High School at 100 W. Westward Avenue regarding a report of shots fired. School resource officers were already at the campus monitoring a graduation ceremony for New Horizons High School (Susan B. Coombs Intermediate School) that was being held at Banning High School's Performing Arts Center.

"One of the officers on scene witnessed a male suspect wearing a white mask, black long-sleeve shirt and grey pants shooting into a black sedan that was traveling eastbound on W. Westward Avenue, in front of the high school," according to police.

After shots were fired, the sedan smashed into a light pole and came to a stop. The shooter, later identified as Woodley, fled, police said.

The sedan driver, identified as House, suffered "several" gunshot wounds and was treated by emergency medical personnel but he died at the scene, according to police.

A police search for Woodley was immediately underway. He was found moments later hiding under a parked vehicle inside a garage of a nearby residence, police said.

"While searching adjacent properties, a loaded handgun was located just outside of the garage Woodley was found hiding in," according to police.

A possible motive for the shooting was not disclosed. It's not clear how or whether Woodley knew House or whether the two were, or had been, Banning Unified School District students. The district said it is working with police as part of the law enforcement investigation.

No other injuries were reported.

The district has made resources available for those affected by the incident.

"If you were in the vicinity and feel you need support we have counselors standing by to support you, please call 951-922-0224," a district statement read.

Woodley was booked into Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility and no bail was set for him. He has no prior felony convictions in Riverside County, court records show.

Banning police issued a separate statement Thursday in an effort to calm nervous families. A graduation ceremony for Banning High School seniors was set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the campus's Bronco Stadium.

"After yesterday’s incident, the Banning Police Department is aware of the concerns regarding safety and security at the Banning High School graduation event happening tonight," Thursday's police statement read. "The Banning Police Department is working with administrators and staff of the Banning Unified School District to ensure a safe event for all graduates and attendees. There will be additional resources deployed at Banning High School for the graduation ceremony.

"Please follow the direction of school staff when attending to ensure everyone is able to safely enjoy this wonderful event," the statement continued. "Anyone with concerns about event safety should contact the Banning Police Department. Congratulations to all the graduates!!!"

There were no reports of disturbances during Thursday night's ceremony.