Man Arrested Over New Year’s Eve Shooting In Sacramento

Old Sacramento, CA – A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a shooting during a New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Old Sacramento, California.

The unnamed suspect is accused of fatally shooting two people and wounding three others. According to a police statement issued Tuesday, the man is currently receiving treatment at a Sacramento hospital.

CBS Sacramento reported on how the shooting had begun with a confrontation between two unnamed men:

“An argument began [at] the Sports Corner Cafe on corner of 2nd and K Streets at about 9:38pm, according to the Sacramento Police Department. The argument escalated into a fight and an employee went to break it up. During the fight, a man pulled out a gun and shot several times at the people he was fighting with.”

The report adds that a 35-year-old man and a 20-year-old male (the employee who tried to break up the fight) were shot and died at the scene. A 30-year-old woman who was also shot suffered a non-life threatening injury to her lower body while the gunman and an armed security guard were both injured in a shootout moments later.

Over 40,000 people were attending the fireworks show in Old Sacramento including families with kids. The next fireworks show, which was due to take place at midnight, was canceled by police.

Witnesses at the event said they heard the shots and ran for cover. They revealed that the suspect ran from the bar towards a crowded street but was apprehended by police. No further information about the suspect has been revealed by police, but authorities did confirm that two guns were recovered at the scene of the shooting.

The video below was taken at the event shortly after the shooting. Please note this footage contains profanities:

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson later posted about the shooting on his Twitter feed:

shooting was at sports corner cafe. sad for sac, and those in the wrong place at the wrong time. headed home, tough night.

— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) January 1, 2013

Mayor Johnson has since issued an official statement on the crime:

“Like many Sacramentans, I was shocked and saddened by the news of last night’s shooting in Old Sacramento. Since visiting the scene last night I have been in constant contact with Acting Police Chief Schiele. The Sacramento Police Department had a thorough security plan in place that enabled officers to respond immediately and apprehend the suspect at the scene.

“While this is a tragic start to the new year, we must keep in mind that this was an isolated incident that is not typical for Old Sacramento, which hosts thousands of tourists each year and many successful events and festivities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families who lost loved ones last night.”

[Image via CBS Sacramento]