2022 Sacramento shooting

File:10th and K (51719049363).jpg

The shooting occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the area of 10th Street and K Street, just blocks away from the California State Capitol and the Golden 1 Center. One suspect continued shooting as he ran north on 10th Street towards J Street. Police officers nearby heard the gunshots and immediately responded.{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Bill |date=April 3, 2022 |title=6 killed, at least 12 injured in mass shooting in Sacramento, California: Police |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-people-shot-downtown-sacramento-california-police/story?id=83843793 |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=ABC News |language=en}}

The shooting caused damage to at least three buildings and three vehicles.{{Cite web |last=Stark |first=Katelyn |date=2022-04-04 |title=26-year-old arrested in Sacramento mass shooting |url=https://ktla.com/news/california/26-year-old-arrested-in-sacramento-mass-shooting/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=KTLA}} On Twitter, a video was circulated showing people running down the street and rapid gunfire being heard in the background. In another Twitter video, a large group of people can be seen surrounding two people fighting when gunfire breaks out behind them.

According to Sacramento Police Department chief Kathy Lester, it was initially unclear if the shooting was connected to a particular venue or event. She also said there was a fight immediately prior to the shooting. Lester said that there were multiple shooters, whom the police are seeking.{{Cite news |last1=Gardiner |first1=Dustin |last2=Fagan |first2=Kevin |last3=Cassidy |first3=Megan |last4=Bollag |first4=Sophia |date=2022-04-03 |title=Sacramento shooting: 'Multiple' gunmen sought after 6 killed, 12 injured |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/At-least-6-dead-9-injured-in-Sacramento-17054208.php |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}

There were six fatalities in the shooting: three men and three women.{{cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/03/sacramento-downtown-shooting/7261794001/|title=Police seek multiple suspects after deadly shooting killed 6, injured 12 in downtown Sacramento|publisher=USA Today|last1=Bacon|first1=John|last2=Tebor|first2=Celina|date=April 3, 2022|accessdate=April 4, 2022}} A 38-year-old man was the first dead person whose identity was released, on the night of the shooting. The other victims were identified by the Sacramento County Coroners Office early the next morning, with the dead ranging in age between 21 and 57 years-old.{{Cite web |last=McGough |first=Michael |date=April 4, 2022 |title=All 6 killed in downtown Sacramento mass shooting identified. Here are their names |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article260094740.html |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=The Sacramento Bee}}

Another 12 people suffered from varying degrees of injury:

• Four were taken to the trauma unit at UC Davis Medical Center.
• Five were taken to Sutter Medical Center.
• Another two people injured in the shooting walked into Sutter around 2:55 a.m. and a third injured victim was transported to Sutter by ambulance.{{cite news |last1=McGough |first1=Michael |last2=Pohl |first2=Jason |last3=Stanton |first3=Sam |title=Mass shooting timeline: What happened and when on K Street in downtown Sacramento? |work=The Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article260071885.html |access-date=5 April 2022}}

On the same day as the shooting, the five treated overnight at Sutter were discharged, and, the following day, two of the four treated at UC Davis were discharged.{{Cite news |last=Flores |first=Jessica |date=2022-04-04 |title=Sacramento shooting victims' names released; 7 injured discharged from hospital |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/Seven-Sacramento-shooting-victims-discharged-from-17056289.php |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}

Immediately after the shooting, police closed the area bounded by 9th, 13th, L, and J Streets, and called for the public to avoid the area.{{Cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Sam |last2=Pohl |first2=Jason |last3=Lillis |first3=Ryan |last4=Kasler |first4=Dale |date=April 3, 2022 |title=Live Updates: 6 killed, 12 hurt in Sacramento shooting; police find weapon, search for shooter |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article260065985.html |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=The Sacramento Bee}}

The police later appealed to the public for help in identifying the people involved in the shooting. The ATF was called in to assist the Sacramento Police Department in the investigation. Police recovered two handguns from the scene, one stolen, and confirmed there were multiple shooters. The streets were reopened the day after the shooting.{{Cite news |last1=Beam |first1=Adam |last2=Ronayne |first2=Kathleen |date=2022-04-04 |title=Arrest made in connection with Sacramento mass shooting |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-sacramento-california-shootings-violence-cb792c0ce70b5bd2c59dae52a97422b1 |access-date=2022-04-04}} Police recovered 114 used bullet shells at the crime scene, and identified several buildings and vehicles that were hit with bullets.{{Cite news |last1=Hepler |first1=Lauren |last2=Flores |first2=Jessica |date=2022-04-04 |title=Sacramento mass shooting: Suspect arrested as search continues for gunmen in the killings |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/Seven-Sacramento-shooting-victims-discharged-from-17056289.php |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=San Francisco Chronicle}}{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Sam |date=2024-01-19 |title=Downtown Sacramento mass shooting ‘chaos’ recalled as court hearing begins for 3 defendants |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article284398585.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |work=The Sacramento Bee}}

On April 4, three suspects were apprehended throughout the day:

• Dandrae Stephan Martin (born June 7, 1995), a 26-year-old male, was arrested just after midnight for suspicion of assault,{{Cite news |last=Goss |first=Emma |last2=Seldon |first2=Aja |date=2022-04-04 |title=Police arrest suspect in downtown Sacramento shooting that killed 6 |url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/suspect-arrested-in-connection-to-sacramento-mass-shooting-police-say |access-date=2022-04-04 |work=KTVU}} possession of a handgun that was found at the scene, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. On Saturday night, prior to the shooting, Dandrae streamed himself on Facebook Live brandishing a handgun. He was scheduled to appear in the Sacramento Superior Court on April 5. He was described as a "related suspect" by police, who also had searched three residences in the area, finding the handguns. The police were still seeking multiple suspects after the arrest, saying that "this individual has not been arrested for any homicide related to this incident".
• Smiley Allen Martin (born July 9, 1994), a 27-year-old brother of Dandrae, was the second suspect arrested. Both Dandrae and Smiley were residents of Phoenix, Arizona, and both had an Arizona criminal history dating back to 2013 and 2014.{{cite news |last=Blankstein |first=Andrew |last2=Lozano |first2=Alicia Victoria |last3=Li |first3=David K. |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Second arrest made in Sacramento shooting that left 6 dead, 12 wounded |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/second-arrest-made-sacramento-shooting-left-6-dead-12-wounded-rcna22994 |website=NBC News}}{{cite news |last=Sarbak |first=Marissa |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Second Sacramento shooting suspects have violent ties to Arizona, court documents show |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/sacramento-shooting-suspect-has-violent-ties-to-arizona-court-documents-show |website=KSAZ-TV}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/state/second-sacramento-mass-shooting-suspect-charged-with-marijuana-violation-in-arizona-records-show|title=Second Sacramento mass shooting suspect charged with marijuana violation in Maricopa County, Arizona, records show|date=April 6, 2022|website=KNXV-TV}}{{cite news|url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2022/04/05/sacramento-mass-shooting-suspects-social-media-facebook-live/|title=Third arrest in Sacramento shooting connection|date=April 5, 2022|website=KPIX-TV}} In 2018, Smiley was sentenced to 10 years in prison for domestic violence but was released in February 2022.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Don |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Law reduced prison time for man tied to Sacramento shooting |url=https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-shootings-prisons-arrests-26a5da7716f51d24cce3f12eadf09523 |website=AP NEWS}}{{cite news |author1=Stanton |first=Sam |date=6 April 2022 |title=Suspect in Sacramento mass shooting was out of prison despite 10-year term |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article260131840.html |access-date=6 April 2022 |work=The Sacramento Bee |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Winton |first=Richard |last2=Chabria |first2=Anita |date=5 April 2022 |title=Sacramento shooting suspect got out of prison despite DA's opposition |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-05/sacramento-shooting-suspect-got-out-of-prison-early-despite-da-opposition |access-date=5 April 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Flaw in the System? Early Release of Sacramento Shooting Suspect Raises More Questions |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/sacramento-shooting-suspect-smiley-martin-earl-release-concerns/ |website=CBS News}} Both Martin brothers had been injured in the shooting.{{Cite web |author=Vera |first=Amir |last2=Romine |first2=Taylor |last3=Mossburg |first3=Cheri |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Sacramento mass shooting was the result of gang violence and involved at least 5 gunmen, police say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/06/us/sacramento-california-shooting-wednesday/index.html |website=CNN}} He was later charged with possession of a machine gun as a Glock 19 handgun with a device that allows full auto fire was discovered at the scene and the investigation found that it was fired during the shooting.{{cite web | url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-smiley-martin-downtown-shooting/103-788c8847-0d03-4711-b259-8f8a155e0b0a | title=Downtown shootout suspect Smiley Martin makes first court appearance today | date=April 22, 2022 }}
• Daviyonne Dawson, a 31-year-old man, was also arrested.{{cite news |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Third arrest in Sacramento shooting connection |website=KPIX-TV |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2022/04/05/sacramento-mass-shooting-suspects-social-media-facebook-live/}} Police recovered a gun with Dawson's arrest, but due to the firearm type, it is not believed the gun was used in the shooting. He was subsequently released the following day after posting $500,000 bail.{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Sam |date=5 April 2022 |title=Third man arrested, then released on $500K bail, for a gun charge after Sacramento mass shooting |work=The Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article260143115.html |access-date=5 April 2022}} He was seen carrying a gun after the shooting, but is not charged with being involved in the shooting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcra.com/article/court-documents-3-killed-downtown-sacramento-shooting-part-gang-related-dispute-ahead-gunfight/39742775|title=3 killed in Sac downtown shooting were part of gang-related dispute ahead of gunfight, DA says|first=Greta|last=Serrin|date=April 19, 2022|website=KCRA}}

On April 6, police said they believe that at least five shooters were involved. While police did not have a precise motive for the shooting, they considered it gang-related: "it is increasingly clear that gang violence is at the center of this tragedy. While we cannot at this time elaborate on the precise gang affiliation of individuals involved, gangs and gang violence are inseparable from the events that drove these shootings." According to law enforcement, one side in the shooting had ties to the Crips gang while the other side had ties to the rival Bloods gang. Gang violence had been a problem in Sacramento for several years prior to the shooting, with a spate of shootings in 2017 leading the city council to funnel millions of dollars in funding to prevent neighborhood violence.

On April 12, a fourth suspect was identified, 27-year-old Mtula Tashamby Payton (born May 27, 1994), a resident from Las Vegas, Nevada. Police indicated that Payton was involved in the shooting, and called on the public to provide information on his whereabouts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/k-street-shootout/103-0ede6919-8b6b-46e3-9b72-6cca13700924|title=Sacramento Police: 3 suspected shooters in K Street shootout identified|date=April 12, 2022|website=abc10.com}}

According to April 16 court documents, three of those killed were involved in a gang dispute, and at least one of them fired a weapon.

On May 3, Smiley Martin, Dandrae Martin, and Payton were charged with murder for the deaths of Johantaya Alexander, Melinda Davis and Yamile Martinez-Andrade. They were not charged with murder for the deaths of three other people because those people were believed to be involved in the gunfight that led to the deaths of the bystanders.{{Cite news |last=Stanton |first=Stan |date=2022-05-03 |title=Three charged with murder in connection with Sacramento mass shooting. Here’s what we know |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article261026102.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |work=The Sacramento Bee}}{{Cite web|url=https://fox40.com/news/local-news/sacramento-county-district-attorney-police-give-k-street-shooting-case-update/|title=DA: Murder charges filed against 3 suspects from K Street shooting|date=May 3, 2022}} Payton was arrested in Las Vegas on May 28.{{cite web | url=https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-gang-shootout-gunman-arrested-in-las-vegas/40135274 | title=Sacramento K Street shooting suspect Mtula Payton arrested in Las Vegas | date=May 30, 2022 }}

Smiley Martin died in jail on June 8, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/california-inmate-death-sacramento-shooting-suspect-09fcd34e6e5cf162cf86ef1449a86de3|title=Sacramento mass shooting suspect dies in jail cell, police and attorney say|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=June 9, 2024}} His autopsy report says that he died of an accidental drug overdose.{{Cite news |title=Autopsy: No foul play, no prescription in Sacramento mass shooting suspect’s jail death. |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article292691124.html}}

File:2022 Sacramento shooting remembrance-4013.jpg

President Joe Biden called on the United States Congress to work on new gun control measures.{{Cite web |first1=Susannah |last1=Cullinane |title=Sacramento police hunt for multiple suspects after mass shooting leaves six dead |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/04/us/sacramento-california-shooting-monday/index.html |date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=CNN}} He proposed a requirement of checking people's background for gun purchases and a ban of privately made firearms, assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Most of these were already enforced in California and the state has the strictest gun control laws out of any U.S. state.{{Cite web |last=Kasler |first=Dale |date=2022-04-03 |title= California has toughest U.S. gun laws. After Sacramento shooting, what else can lawmakers do? |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/04/03/california-has-toughest-u-s-gun-laws-after-sacramento-shooting-what-else-can-lawmakers-do |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=The Mercury News |publisher=The Sacramento Bee |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-04 |title=Editorial: Gun violence is America's way of life — and death |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-04-04/editorial-gun-violence-sacramento-mass-shooting |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the shooting and called for stricter gun laws, tweeting, "We cannot continue to let gun violence be the new normal."{{Cite news |last=Sheeler |first=Andrew |date=2022-04-15 |title=Gavin Newsom condemns ‘horrendous act of gun violence’ in response to Sacramento shooting |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article260069680.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |work=The Sacramento Bee}}

Michael Ault, executive director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said that the city is in the process of reinforcing public safety by adding lights and security cameras and implementing laws. Mayor Darrell Steinberg said the city has invested $8.1 million to provide better lighting and security.{{Cite web |first1=Shawnte |last1=Passmore |title=Mass Shooting Prompts Worries Over Downtown Safety |url=https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2022/04/03/mass-shooting-prompts-worries-over-downtown-safety/ |date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=CBS Local |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404060724/https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2022/04/03/mass-shooting-prompts-worries-over-downtown-safety/ |url-status=dead }}

On the night of the shooting, a candlelight vigil was held at Cesar Chavez Plaza on 10th Street,{{cite web |title=State Capitals of California: Sacramento |url=http://www.usacitiesonline.com/castatecapitals.htm#sacramento |publisher=Key to the City |accessdate=2022-04-04}} where people prayed and called for peace.{{Cite web |last=McGough |first=Michael |date=2022-04-04 |title=Suspects at large after mass shooting killed 6, injured 12 in Sacramento |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article260088970.html |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=The Sacramento Bee}}{{Cite tweet |number=1510848751161602052 |user=BrittanyKCRA |title=Earlier tonight, this was the community vigil that formed at Cesar Chavez Park.|author=Brittany Hope}} Another vigil was held on the evening of April 4. Sacramento community members brought candles, balloons and flowers to the streets closed by the police.{{Cite tweet |number=1510842742603014148 |user=BrittanyKCRA |title=Nearly 20 hours after Sacramento's largest mass shooting, loved ones and community members are continuing to head to Downtown to bring candles, balloons, and flowers. |author=Brittany Hope}}

An NBA game played later that day in the Golden 1 Center between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors started with a moment of silence for the victims.{{Cite news |last=Beam |first=Adam |date=April 4, 2022 |title=California police search for shooters who killed 6, hurt 12 |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-sacramento-california-shootings-violence-cb792c0ce70b5bd2c59dae52a97422b1 |access-date=April 4, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Ebrahimji |first=Alisha |date=2022-04-04 |title=Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says moments of silence won't solve gun violence |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/04/us/golden-state-warriors-steve-kerr-sacramento-gun-violence/index.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=CNN}} Pop group Aly & AJ and their touring group offered their sympathy for the victims and first responders; the group had been performing at the Crest Theatre, and their tour bus had been caught in the crossfire of the shooting, with no injuries reported from their group.{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jeremiah |date=2022-04-03 |title=Pop singers say bus was 'caught in the crossfire' of Sacramento shooting |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/california/pop-singers-say-bus-was-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-sacramento-shooting/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=KRON4 |language=en-US}}

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