Police in California are searching for suspects in connection with a mass shooting in downtown Sacramento that killed six people and wounded at least 10 others.
Sacramento Police Chief, Kathy Lester said at a news conference that police were patrolling the area at about 2am (10:00 GMT) on Sunday when they heard gunfire, Al Jazeera reports.
People fled through the streets after rapid gunfire rang out in an area packed with restaurants and bars in the early hours of Sunday.
The Police responded to the gunfire and came across a “very large crowd”, police chief Katherine Lester said.
Authorities do not know whether one or more suspects were involved and are asking for the public’s help in identifying who is responsible. Lester did not give specifics on the type of gun used.
When they arrived at the scene, they found six people already dead and another 10 either took themselves or were transported to hospitals. No information was given on their conditions.
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“This is a really tragic situation,” Chief Lester said. The officer said investigators had arrived at the scene and urged the public to come forward with any information that might help identify those responsible.
Sacramento Mayor, Darrell Steinberg said on Twitter:
“Words can’t express my shock & sadness this morning. The numbers of dead and wounded are difficult to comprehend. We await more information about exactly what transpired in this tragic incident.”
Words can’t express my shock & sadness this morning. The numbers of dead and wounded are difficult to comprehend. We await more information about exactly what transpired in this tragic incident. (more)
— @mayor_Steinberg (@Mayor_Steinberg) April 3, 2022
Sacramento Police Department to give update on K Street investigation https://t.co/LzGiuwxpp3
— @mayor_Steinberg (@Mayor_Steinberg) April 3, 2022
Residents were asked to avoid the area, which is packed with restaurants and bars, including the London Nightclub, and is close to the Golden 1 Center, where the Sacramento Kings play basketball.
ADVISORY: 9th St to 13th St is closed between L St & J St as officers investigate a shooting with multiple victims. Conditions unknown at this time. Please avoid the area as a large police presence will remain and the scene remains active. Please follow this thread for updates. pic.twitter.com/lGhUJCnLWe
— Sacramento Police (@SacPolice) April 3, 2022
According to insightlinks, Community activist Berry Accius reached the scene at about 02:30 after a city council member called him about the shooting. “The first thing I saw was like victims,” he was quoted as saying by CBS News.
“I saw a young girl with a whole bunch of blood in her body, a girl taking off glass from her, a young girl screaming saying, ‘They killed my sister.’ A mother running up, ‘Where’s my son, has my son been shot?’” He added.
The incident is certain to inflame the ongoing debate about gun violence and the prevalence of lethal weapons in US society.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg tweeted that the numbers of dead and wounded were “difficult to comprehend”.
“Rising gun violence is the scourge of our city, state and nation, and I support all actions to reduce it,” he said.
Rising gun violence is the scourge of our city, state and nation, and I support all actions to reduce it. Our new Police Chief, Kathy Lester, has made it a top priority, and I stand firmly behind her. @SacPolice
— @mayor_Steinberg (@Mayor_Steinberg) April 3, 2022