Eighteen-year-old Jamario Baker had just graduated from Sem Yeto High School when gunfire erupted, turning what should have been a celebration into a tragedy that has left an entire community grieving.

Police say Baker was one of four people shot on the evening of June 4th during the graduation ceremony in Northern California, which was attended by about 1,000 people. The other victims — ages 11, 20, and 25 — survived and are receiving medical treatment. Authorities confirmed Baker later died from his injuries.

Family members now say the teen lost his life while protecting his younger sister.

In a Facebook post shared over the weekend, Baker’s aunt, Mary Jones, said her nephew was shielding his 11-year-old sister when he was shot.

“You may of heard about the shooting in Fairfield after a graduation ceremony,” Jones wrote. “That was my great nephew that was shot and killed. Rest In heaven Jamario. He was protecting his 11 year old sister when he was shot.”

This heartbreaking news has made the sorrow around the shooting even deeper. The incident happened just moments after graduates and families gathered for photos outside the stadium.

A witness told KTVU he was near the photo area when “a man ran up and began shooting.” Panic spread quickly as families ran for safety. Another witness said she heard several gunshots before her relatives told her to run.

Fairfield Police Officer Michelle Belyea said investigators are still going through hundreds of possible witnesses and leads.

“We don’t have any information that there’s any ongoing threat to the community at this time,” Belyea said shortly after the shooting. “This is still a very active incident.”

Five days after the attack, police still had not announced an arrest.

While the investigation continues, people in Fairfield have come together to honor Baker’s life and support his family. A memorial with balloons and written messages was set up near Schafer Stadium, and residents gathered Saturday evening at Fairfield Civic Center Pond for a prayer vigil.

Hope Christian Church has also announced a community event called “Moment of Blessing: Hope, Healing, and Unity” at the site of the shooting.

“In the wake of the recent tragedy at Sem Yeto’s graduation, our community continues to grieve alongside those who have been deeply affected,” the church shared in a statement. “This gathering is an opportunity to honor those impacted, support one another, and reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our community.”

People have also started asking about security at the graduation ceremony after officials confirmed that no police officers were assigned to the event.

Fairfield Police say they have an agreement with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District to provide officers for graduations and school events when requested properly. Police said someone tried to request officers for the ceremony, but “the request was not made through the established channels, and the department was not aware of the request.”

Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy called the tragedy devastating and said officials need to find out where things went wrong.

“My heart is breaking for the students and families involved,” Moy said. “I graduated from Fairfield High School and I can’t get my head and heart around this tragedy. I’m shaken to my soul.”

Baker’s final act of courage is now part of how people will remember him. He is not just seen as a graduate whose life was cut short, but as a brother who stepped in to protect his sister during a chaotic moment.