Downtown Sacramento, California mass shooting

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Sacramento police are appealing for the public's help to find whoever opened fire downtown early Sunday morning, killing six people and leaving the California city with "a broken heart," according to the mayor.

In addition to the six dead, another 12 people were wounded at the scene near 10th and K streets, police said in a statement.

Officers responding to the sound of shots fired around 2 a.m. found a large group gathered, as well as gunshot victims, the statement said.

"Officers began life-saving measures to multiple victims on scene. Despite these efforts, six victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. Twelve other victims with varying degrees of injuries have also been located," police said.
At least one firearm had been recovered, the statement said.

Police said social media video appeared to show an altercation before the shooting. "We are currently working to determine what, if any, relation these events have to the shooting," the statement said.

They appealed to the public to send in any additional photos or videos.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration is monitoring the situation.

A large crowd was gathered in the area when gunfire erupted but it was unclear whether the crowd was connected to a particular venue or event, Lester said.

The shooting scene is within a few blocks of several notable landmarks: the California State Capitol, Sacramento City Hall and Golden 1 Center, where the Sacramento Kings are scheduled to play Sunday night.

Community activist Berry Accius told CNN affiliate KCRA that he arrived at the scene soon after the shooting.
"The first thing I saw was like victims. 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 said.

Dandrae Martin was taken into custody and booked on charges of assault with a firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, Police Chief Kathy Lester told KCRA 3’s Ty Steele in an exclusive interview Monday morning.

“Right now that’s really all we’re able to share about him," she said. "As you know this is a complex investigation and we’re looking for multiple suspects and so we’re currently working to identify what his role was the night of the shooting."

A press release from the department referred to Martin as a "related suspect."

Sacramento Police Department SWAT members and detectives also served search warrants at three residences in the area. At least one handgun was recovered, police said.

Sacramento County District Attorney Ann Marie Schubert noted in a statement Monday that Martin had not been arrested for homicide.

"The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence," she said in a statement. "This is an ongoing investigation and we anticipate more arrests in this case. Our ethical obligations as prosecutors prevents us from commenting about the specifics of the case. We will be reviewing the evidence provided to our office and making a determination of what, if any, charges are appropriate. If charges are filed, the complaint will be released to the public."

A third suspect was arrested in connection with a mass shooting in Sacramento that left six people dead, and 12 others hurt, police said.

Detectives recovered a handgun and arrested 31-year-old Daviyonne Dawson late Monday on charges of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, the Sacramento Police Department said.

Detectives had allegedly identified him as a man who'd been seen carrying a gun in the immediate aftermath of the shooting early Sunday in downtown Sacramento.

Dawson is not charged with carrying out the shooting or any crimes directly related to the shootings.

"Based on the type of firearm recovered, detectives do not believe that this gun was used in the shooting," the Sacramento Police Department said.

Investigators have previously announced the arrest of two brothers, 26-year-old Dandrae Martin, and Smiley Martin, 27 in connection with the shooting. The younger brother faces charges of assault with a firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The elder sibling, who is hospitalized with gunshot wounds, faces charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun.

... 31-year-old Daviyonne Dawson late Monday on charges of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm,
... 26-year-old Dandrae Martin, and Smiley Martin, 27 in connection with the shooting. The younger brother faces charges of assault with a firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The elder sibling, who is hospitalized with gunshot wounds, faces charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun.

Almost exactly a year ago, Dist. Atty. Anne Marie Schubert’s office opposed Smiley Martin’s release from state prison to the Board of Parole Hearings in a two-page letter, first reported by the Sacramento Bee. The district attorney’s office asked that he not be freed because he is a career criminal and a danger to the community. Schubert released the letter after a records request but would not comment further.

“Inmate Martin has, for his entire adult life, displayed a pattern of criminal behavior,” wrote Deputy Dist. Atty Danielle Abildgaard. “While the current case on review may not be ‘violent’ under the Penal Code, Inmate Martin’s criminal conduct is violent and lengthy.

“Inmate Martin has committed several felony violations and clearly has little regard for human life and the law, which can be shown by his conduct in his prior felony convictions of robbery, possession of a firearm and prior misdemeanor conviction of providing false information to a peace officer.”

The nation’s sickening toll of gun violence was made clear once again this weekend, when a barrage of bullets left bloodied bodies strewn in the street, just steps away from California’s state Capitol. Six people dead and a dozen injured. Families in mourning and a community riddled with grief. ...

... But California already has the nation’s strongest gun control laws, including universal background checks and a state database of firearm sales. The Golden State has at least 107 gun control laws on the books, laws that were debated, passed and signed under a Capitol dome that gleams above the deadliest of Sunday’s crime scenes. The state must focus now on holding killers to account, ridding the streets of illegal guns and keeping firearms away from violent individuals.