SAN FRANCISCO – A bustling lunchtime at Phillip and Sala Burton High School in the Portola neighborhood erupted into chaos on Monday when gunfire rang out on campus, critically injuring one student and prompting an immediate lockdown that sent hundreds of teens scrambling for safety.
The incident unfolded around 12:15 p.m. on December 2, 2025, near the school’s athletic fields, according to preliminary reports from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). A 16-year-old male student was struck multiple times in the upper body and rushed to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. As of Tuesday evening, the teen remained in critical condition but was listed as stable, with doctors expressing cautious optimism for his recovery.
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Eyewitnesses described a scene of pandemonium: students diving behind benches, teachers herding classes into locked classrooms, and the wail of sirens piercing the midday air. “One second we were eating lunch, the next everyone was screaming and running,” recounted sophomore Maria Gonzalez, who was on the quad when the shots—estimated at four to six—crackled through the crowd.
SFPD officers swarmed the 400-block of Mansell Street within minutes, establishing a perimeter and sweeping the 20-acre campus for threats. No suspect was located on site, and investigators believe the shooter may have fled the area prior to arrival.
Preliminary evidence points to a targeted altercation possibly linked to a personal dispute, though authorities have not ruled out gang involvement—a persistent concern in the diverse, working-class neighborhood.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), San Francisco Board of Education Vice President Jackie Fielder expressed solidarity: “My heart breaks for the Burton High community tonight. We must do more to keep our students safe. Sending love and strength to the injured student and their family.”
Burton High Principal Dr. Maria Su implemented an immediate “secure campus” protocol, confining students indoors until 3:30 p.m.
dismissal. Counseling services were activated on-site Tuesday, with grief support extended through the city’s Department of Public Health. “Our priority is the well-being of our scholars,” Su said in a letter to parents. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and will provide updates as they become available.”
The shooting marks the second gun violence incident at a San Francisco public school in 2025, reigniting debates over youth violence, underfunded mental health programs, and the need for enhanced security measures like metal detectors—measures opposed by some advocates fearing they criminalize students of color.
Portola residents, many of whom attended Burton themselves, gathered informally Monday night for a vigil, lighting candles and sharing stories of the school’s legacy as a hub for immigrant families and first-generation dreamers. “These kids deserve to learn without fear,” said local activist Ramon Ortiz, whose niece is a junior at the school.
The investigation remains active, with SFPD urging tips via their anonymous line at (415) 575-4444. As the community braces for more details, one message echoed from the makeshift memorial blooming outside the gates: enough is enough.