Police: Gun That Killed Grant High Football Player Was Found In Separate Traffic Stop

By Kelly Ryan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A suspect has been arrested in the murder of a high-school football player who was gunned down before a playoff game in November.

Police say Keymontae Lindsay, 16, shot and killed 18-year-old J.J. Clavo by firing multiple rounds into a car carrying the Grant High School football player.

Police say the shooter was arrested just one day after Clavo's death, but the traffic stop wasn't connected to the murder.

Sacramento Police Chief Sam Somers announced Lindsay's arrest Thursday.

"The name floated around a little, maybe some involvement," he said. "We had also gang affiliation."

Nicole Clavo had been waiting for an arrest in the murder of her son for months.

"At first, hearing the words, it was a surreal moment, a moment you wait for, but don't know how you will react when you hear it," she said.

Her son was killed on Nov. 13 sitting in a car stopped at a stop sign with friends on their way to a pregame meeting on campus before a playoff game scheduled for later that night.

"At that point, Keymontae Lindsay walked up to the side of the vehicle and opened fire, fatally striking J.J. and wounding another kid in the car," Somers said.

The suspect fled the scene. Police say they made a traffic stop the next day, arresting Lindsay on a weapons charge. Forensic testing revealed a link to the Clavo case.

"The firearm that he had in possession at that time was actually the murder weapon used to kill J.J. Clavo," Somers said.

Lindsay has been in custody since then. Police say they waited for more forensics and witness statements before making the arrest.

For J.J.'s mom Nicole, the news was bittersweet. She visited her son's grave and also prayed for the suspect's family, saying his mother is also going through a loss.

"He's looking at a lot of time, so she's lost her son," she said. "She may be able to receive a letter, get a phone call, but it's not the same as holding your baby and planning for them."

Somers says Clavo was not the intended target and he expects more arrests.