Sacramento shooting was gang-related gun fight, police say. What we know — and don’t

Gang violence is “at the center” of Sunday’s shooting, where six people were killed and 12 injured in downtown Sacramento.

Here’s what we know — and what questions are still unanswered three days after the shooting:

How was the shooting gang-related?

Police on Wednesday confirmed that Sunday’s shooting in downtown Sacramento erupted as a gang dispute between two groups involving at least five shooters.

“As detectives learn more about the shootings, it is increasingly clear that gang violence is at the center of this tragedy,” the Sacramento Police Department wrote in a news release sent late Wednesday morning, also adding that the number of known shooters “may grow beyond five.”

The new details emerge as authorities progress in what Police Chief Kathy Lester has called a “complex and complicated” investigation into the worst shooting incident in Sacramento history, in terms of death and injury tallies.

Lester had first announced Sunday afternoon that law enforcement confirmed there were “multiple shooters” in the incident.

Police said in Wednesday’s announcement confirming gang connections said they could not “elaborate on the precise gang affiliation of individuals involved” at this time.

How many shooters were there?

On Wednesday, police said there are at least five shooters and the dispute happened between two groups of men. They said the number of known shooters could grow as the investigation unfolds.

Are suspects or those killed gang affiliated?

Court records and police show at least two of the men killed were believed to be gang members.

Sacramento Superior Court documents refer to Sergio Harris, a 38-year-old man who was killed, as a member of the Del Paso Bloods. Salinas police have identified another victim, Josh Hoye-Lucchesi, as a member of the Crips.

Detectives still are working to identify gang affiliations for others who may have been involved.

How many shots were fired?

More than 100 shots were fired in the shootout just after 2 a.m. Sunday, littering the area of 10th and K streets with spent shell casings and leaving bullet holes in buildings, windows and cars in the busy nightlife area.

Six died at the scene and 12 others were transported or self-transported to hospitals with gunshot wounds.

Were shooters among the dead?

We don’t know.

At the news conference at police headquarters, spokesman Sgt. Zach Eaton, asked if shooters were among the victims, said “We haven’t ruled that out and we haven’t ruled that in.”

Is it still considered a mass shooting?

Law enforcement sources have been saying since Monday that the incident appeared to be a shootout between rival factions rather than the “mass shooting” that officials initially described in the wake of the 2 a.m. shooting that occurred near 10th and K streets as downtown bars were closing and large crowds were emptying out into the streets.

A mass shooting is generally described as four or more dead, not including the shooter.

Who are the victims?

The three men killed were Sergio Harris, 38, of North Highlands; De’Vazia Turner, 29, of Carmichael; and Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32, of Salinas. The three women killed were Johntaya Alexander, of Elk Grove, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; and Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21, of Selma in Fresno County.

Two patients remain in treatment at UC Davis Medical Center, a health system spokesperson confirmed Wednesday morning. Their conditions were not disclosed.

In response, GoFundMe created an online hub for verified fundraisers to support families of the victims.

Who are the suspects?

As of midday Wednesday, authorities have arrested three men on suspicion of firearm possession charges.

Dandrae Martin, 26, was arrested Monday on a charge of possession of a firearm, the first taken into custody in connection with the shooting, and made an initial court appearance Tuesday. He was described as a “related suspect.”

Smiley Martin, 27, was also arrested on firearm possession charges. He was seriously injured by gunfire and remains in treatment at a hospital.

Police said he will be booked on charges including possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person upon medical release.

The third arrest did not have a connection to the shooting, police said, and the person was arrested in the area after the shooting. Police obtained a weapon from the man, but said it was not used in the shooting.

Smiley Martin had been released early from a 10-year prison term for a domestic violence and assault conviction, against vehement opposition from Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert’s office, The Sacramento Bee first reported Tuesday.

Hours before Sunday’s 2 a.m. shooting, Smiley Martin posted a 15-minute Facebook Live video in which he appeared to be brandishing a semiautomatic handgun toward the camera at times.

Hoye-Lucchesi, one of three men killed early Sunday morning, could be seen in the video.

Shortly before the video reaches the 3-minute mark, Martin is seen pointing the barrel of a handgun at the camera. After he moved the camera, the handgun appeared tucked into his waistband.

The authenticity of the video, which has since been removed online, was confirmed by a law enforcement source.

Tips

The Police Department said it has received roughly 200 image and video files submitted by witnesses to an online community evidence portal.

They said they encourage the community to submit what they have. To submit media-related content, police ask you use the evidence submission portal or a QR code posted on the department’s social media.

Nightlife security

Downtown Sacramento’s nightlife is about to enter its first weekend after the shooting.

The Dive Bar, which is near Sunday’s crime scene and was shutdown Sunday after the shooting, told The Bee during a conversation through social media messages that they were implementing additional safety measures but wouldn’t provide any details.

“We are still dealing with the impact the event had on our staff, we feel for the community and we won’t pretend to imagine what the victims’ loved ones or even the survivors are dealing with,” Dive Bar Sacramento said.

In a Monday statement on social media, London Nightclub on 10th Street, where some of the victims had been that night, said that each night it enforces “strict security protocols.”

“We at London Sacramento are praying for the families of the victims that were impacted by the incident that occurred near 10th & K streets. As we continue to process this horrific act, we would like to emphasize that each night, London Sacramento enforces strict security protocols and begins closing procedures at 1:30 a.m. While this incident occurred a block away, we will continue to make ourselves available to the Sacramento Police Department and provide any information we can during their investigation. Our prayers are with the affected families and we continue to grieve with the Sacramento community.”

It is unclear if additional safety precautions are being taken elsewhere in the area at this time.

“Obviously, people look at this and say, ‘Oh my God, how dangerous is downtown?’” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said during a news conference Sunday. “Well, we want people to come downtown, and safely.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Sacramento shooting was gang-related gun fight, police say. What we know — and don’t."