After student death, Dixon officials offer few details on high school investigation
Dixon Police were called Oct. 10 to investigate an incident involving juveniles at Dixon High School that occurred the day before.
The investigation began the same day that the school canceled a junior varsity football game. Hours after the opposing team’s coach was notified of the forfeiture, a Dixon High JV player was found with a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation indicated it was self-inflicted.
News of the canceled games and the student’s death spurred discussion on social media about the circumstances of the investigation and whether it was related to hazing or bullying.
Dixon Police and Dixon Unified School District declined on Friday to provide details about the nature of the investigation. In response to several questions posed by The Sacramento Bee, city spokesperson Madeline Graf only confirmed that there is no threat to public safety, and declined to release any other information.
Dixon Unified spokesperson Isabella Quiniola only responded to say that the district will continue to offer support to students for “as long as necessary,” and that students in need can tell their teacher or principal that they would like to be paired with a district mental health clinician. She did not respond to any of the other inquiries posed by The Bee.
The Bee asked the police department the following questions about the investigation:
- What time was Dixon Police contacted about the incident that occurred on the Dixon High campus on Oct. 9? What time did the incident occur?
- What was the nature of the concern that prompted the investigation?
- How many people do the police believe were involved?
- Is there reason to believe that the incident that they are investigating was isolated? Is there a public safety concern?
- If anyone believes they know anything about the incident, what should they do?
The Sacramento Bee asked the school district the following questions:
- Why did the school cancel its JV game before the death of the player? Does it have to do with the police investigation into an incident at Dixon High the day before?
- What was the nature of the concern that prompted the police investigation?
- Some parents are saying that students on the team are struggling. Will you continue to offer mental health services?
Although initially forfeited, the Dixon Rams will have a home varsity football game on Saturday afternoon.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM.
