16-year-old killed, 2 others wounded in California house party shooting

HIGHLAND, Calif. (FOX 11) - Detectives are asking for the public's help identifying the person or people responsible for killing a 16-year-old boy and shooting two other people at a house party in Southern California.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department says more than 200 people were inside the home when shots rang out late Friday in Highland.

Officials said that arriving deputies learned three victims were being driven to a hospital by other partygoers. As they drove, they flagged down a responding ambulance.

The department says 16-year-old Jacob Vargas, a Rialto resident, was pronounced dead at a hospital. The others -- a 22-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl -- were treated for gunshot wounds, but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Authorities said that someone opened fire after a verbal argument broke out between several party-goers.

Investigators are interviewing witnesses. No suspect information has been released.

Detectives are asking anyone who was at the party and left prior to the deputies' arrival to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Floyd Stone at 909-387-3589 or Sheriff's dispatch at 909-387-8313. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-782-7463 or www.wetip.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.