Public Safety

Man in wheelchair killed in hit-and-run crash in Midtown

2013-05-22T14:06:12Z

Sacramento police are looking for a car that was involved in a hit and run crash, killing a man in a wheelchair at the intersection of X Street and 19th Street in Midtown early Wednesday morning.

Officers are looking for a two-door Acura Integra or Honda Civic with significant front end damage that they believe hit the man just before 1:30 Wednesday morning, police at the scene said.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Standoff in Natomas ends with two arrests

2013-02-14T05:13:01Z

A standoff with two suspects in an apartment complex in Natomas ended Wednesday after Sacramento Police arrested both men.

"We have good news at this point. Both suspects the Sheriff's Department detectives were looking for earlier this evening, we have them in custody," said Michelle Gigante, spokesperson for the Sacramento Police Department.

The full statement from Gigante:

The incident began in the early afternoon when Sacramento Sheriff Deputies and Sacramento Police Officers arrived at a condominium complex near Club Center Drive and Natomas Boulevard to arrest a parolee on felony charge.

The facts, according to Gigante:

- At about 3:30 p.m. a woman who came out of the apartment was detained by police, who questioned her and verified that the wanted suspect was inside with another man.

- At no time was there a hostage situation, but both subjects refused to come out, Gigiante said.

- The Sacramento Police Department SWAT team and Hostage Negotiation were called to the scene and the suspects surrounded by 6:15 p.m.

- Nearby apartments were evacuated and Northbound Natomas was closed for a short time.

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Woman shot after resisting mugger in Midtown

2013-01-12T07:37:16Z

A woman was shot in Midtown Friday night when she resisted a man who was trying to steal her purse, according to police. The shooting occurred just after 10:30 p.m. on the 800 Block of 27th Street, half a block from where a community meeting on public safety was held Thursday night to address crime in Midtown.

The 34-year-old victim was shot in the arm, with the bullet traveling through to her chest, and was transported to a hospital in stable condition, according to Lieutenant Wendy Brown of the Sacramento Police Department.

The woman was attending a party and had stepped outside when she was approached by the suspect, police said.

"It sounded like a gun shot, and then a woman starting screaming, howling and then crying, and then there was nothing," said Lauren Ferrantelli, a neighbor.

An edited snippet of the interview with Ferrantelli:

Police have described the suspect as a male Hispanic, early 20’s, 5’11’’,with a red long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, moustache and goatee. Anyone with information about a crime can call the police dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Tips can also be texted to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

There were 13 pedestrian robberies on the grid between Dec. 16, 2012, and Jan. 6, 2013, a fact cited by police during the community meeting Thursday, which was held to address residents's concerns over an increase in crime in the central city.

"It's definitively devastating for the community," Lt. Brown said of the incident Friday night. "Since the holiday season we've had additional law enforcement resources in the area, we're doing everything we can to keep the citizens of this area safe, and we'll continue to do so."

The full statement from Lt. Brown:

Sacramento Police Captain Ken. Bernard, who oversees the police patrol district that covers the neighborhood, sent this update to residents:

"I’m sorry to report that tonight, just after 10:30 pm, a woman was shot in front of an apartment building on 27th Street, between H and I. We believe that it was an attempted purse snatch. The only suspect information we have is a Male Hispanic, unknown age and that he ran off in an unknown direction.

Officers are continuing the investigation as I type this.

Please pass this information on to your contacts and I will keep you updated as I learn further."

Police advise against resisting robbery attempts. In an email sent to residents last month about the recent uptick in assaults on pedestrian s, Sacramento police Lieutenant Marc Coopwood said people should consider walking in pairs or groups at night, be aware of their surroundings and, not resist if mugged. "We do not want to see somebody get injured," he wrote.

City Councilmember Steve Hansen issued a statement Saturday morning.

"My thoughts are with the woman who was shot and hope for a full recovery," he wrote in an email. "Thankfully, police were only blocks away and responded instantly. For anyone who might have witnessed this, please contact the police to help identify the culprit."

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Community meeting to be held on crime in Midtown

2013-01-07T07:12:56Z

In the wake of a string of pedestrian robberies that rocked Midtown, the Sacramento Police Department will join community leaders for a meeting on public safety this Thursday night.

Councilman Steve Hansen, the Midtown Buisness Association, the Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association, the Midtown Neighborhood Association and the Alkali/Mansion Flats Historic Neighborhood Association, will be on hand at the Hart Senior Center at 915 27th Street from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., to "discuss tips on being prepared and staying safe," according to the event's Facebook page.

Hansen, who is visiting a series of neighborhood associations this week, said the purpose of the meeting was to, "gather concerns, hear what people's thoughts are and see what we can do to continue making people feel good about where they live."

"We're going to do as much as we can to make sure that not only are the residents safe but that we improve quality of life where we can," he said.

Last week officers arrested a group of men they suspect might have been behind several of the incidents and the robberies have since stopped.

Hansen said the police deserved recognition.

"I really applaud the police department," he said. "Even though times are tight and they haven't had any extra budget added, but they've reorganized and were able to deploy extra resources to these areas where there are problems to help people ensure their safety.”

There are also "bigger picture" public safety issues on Hansen's short-term agenda, including the selection of new police chief, creating a plan to restore funding to the department via the new funds made available after the passage of the Measure U sales tax, and addressing problem areas that have drawn numerous complaints from residents.

What do you think the priorities for new funding of the police department should be, and what specific areas or blocks in Downtown/Midtown do you think deserve the most attention? Let us know in the comments below – and tell the police and Hansen about it at the Jan. 10 meeting.

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UPDATE: Three teens arrested after mass brawl in the Arden Fair Mall food court

2012-12-27T01:43:03Z

Sacramento Police Public Information Officer Dough Morse explains what happen during a disturbance at the Arden Fair Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 26:

View the story "Update: Arden Fair back open after teens start huge ruckus in food court " on StorifyUpdate: Arden Fair back open after teens start huge ruckus in food court Storified by The Sacramento Press· Thu, Dec 27 2012 07:48:50

Three teens were arrested yesterday at the Arden Fair Mall after a mass brawl involving a group of about 20 juveniles who were caught on camera throwing signs and pushing people in the food court, according to the Sacramento Police Department. The incident caused a mass exodus from the mall as panicked customers mistook the sound of chairs and other objects hitting the ground for gunshots.

Here's what Public Information Officer Dough Morse told us:

- Police believe that there was no guns involved and that reports of a gunman or gunfire were unfounded.

-Three teens have been detained and about 20 were involved. They were caught on camera fighting, pushing people, throwing signs and in general "causing a disturbance."

- The incident was captured by mall surveillance cameras.

- The altercation started around 4:49 p.m. and police arrived within minutes. Morse indicated that the partnership the mall has with the department helped facilitate the quick response.

Listen to the full audio statement from Morse above for more details.

The incident was quickly trending on Twitter, as shoppers began posting messages about a "lockdown" and shots fired. Sacramento police were quick to dispel the rumors: Arden Mall is open to the public, reports of shooting and or subject with a gun are unfounded.Sacramento Police Large physical altercation at Arden Fair Mall, unfounded reports of gunfire, pd assisting with the disturbance.Sacramento Police While some shoppers twitted that they heard gunshots, one witness said he thought it was the sound of chairs falling – the conclusion the police said was supported the the video. At Arden Mall and saw a fight began. Somehow that led to everyone running saying there was a shooting. Chairs falling down is not a gun shotIsaac Gardon The helicopter and dozens of cop cars really aren't calming people. It's shocking how panicked people are based on hearsay.Isaac Gardon Officers arrived in force and a helicopter circled overhead, frightening some shoppers. At least 2 dozen patrol cars have converged on the mall.Kevin Oliver People in the mall fighting and had guns. Fucking crazy. Cops showed up with rifles and helicopters flying over. Me and @mariela650 had to run out the mall with everyone elsecarranza27 Sacramento police just said there was no shooting. The police officers were running through with ak-47s, helicopters were there within minSunshine✨✨ Police briefly closed off the area and the mass exodus caused a traffic jam. People stuck inside the parking lot turned to social media to vent their frustrations. I don't think anyone understands how scary that was though.Talia Kaczmarek I'm stuck in the Arden mall parking lot--we're never gonna be able to leave from hereAileen ✞ I'm not going to the mall. People started running out the moment we parked saying there was a shootout: heart goes out to any individuals harmed:( #where #is #this #world #goingjazminep123 I pray everyone is ok, dear God thank you for getting us out the mall safe and soundSunshine✨✨ The story had a happy ending for at least one shopper. Yay ! I got my boots.Adrienne Hammy

Worrying trend of armed robberies of pedestrians in the central city continues

2012-12-24T17:12:20Z

After a recent uptick in armed robberies on the grid, police are asking residents to walk in groups at night, be aware of their surrounding and report anything that looks suspicious.

"We want you to come to town and have a good time – Sacramento is known for its entertainment district, fabulous clubs and bars," said Sacramento Police Department Spokeswoman MIchelle Gigante. "But be responsible."

At least six more armed robberies more occured between Dec. 21 and Dec. 25, according to the Sacramento Police daily activity logs.

"We will continue to deploy our resources to focus on this problem nightl," Lt. Marc Coopwood of the Sacramento Police Department wrote in an email to residents. "Please be our eyes and ears when you are in and about your respective neighborhoods."

Police suspect that one person may be behind several of the robberies, as victims have described a similar suspect – a male Hispanic in his 20s or30s, armed with a hand gun, wearing a white T-shirt, a red baseball cap or a dark hoodie.

Several other robberies have involved suspects of different descriptions, often riding bicycles.

Coopwood has advised residents to walk in pairs or groups at night, be aware of their surrounds and, if robbed, to not resist. "We do not want to see somebody get injured," he wrote in a previous email.

Police have also beefed up patrols in the Midtown area, Gigante said.

Anyone with information about a crime can call the police dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357).

Tips can also be texted to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers/texters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

We've sent a request to police for more information about the latest incidents, but here, is what police noted on the daily activity logs for this past weekend:

Friday, Dec. 21 at 26th and H streets

"Victims were walking when they were robbed by a male Hispanic suspect. The victims were not hurt during the incident."

Saturday , Dec. 22 at 11th St and L streets

"The victim and a friend were walking in the area when the suspect ran up to them from behind. The suspect grabbed the victim’s purse and a brief struggle over it ensured. The suspect was able to overpower the victim’s grasp and continued to run – fleeing with the victim’s property. No injuries were reported and this investigation is ongoing."

Saturday , Dec. 22 at 24th and E streets

"The victim was walking when she was approached by an armed suspect who demanded her property. The victim gave the suspect her purse then she chased the suspect down and was able to retrieve her property. The suspect, and another person he was with, fled on foot from the victim."

Sunday, Dec. 23 at 700 block of 18th St

"A victim was walking home from work when she was approached by suspects that got out of a car. The suspects stole her purse and fled on foot. The suspects were described as three Hispanic or white male adults and one was armed with a handgun. The suspect vehicle was described as a white 4-door older model sedan."

Monday, Dec. 24 at 3600 block of 26th Avenue

"Victim was robbed by four subjects. The four subjects got out of a white 2000-2002 sedan and robbed him of his cell phone, cash and other property."

Tuesday, Dec. 25 at 1800 block of 19th Street

"The victim was in a parking lot when he was approached by the suspect who indicated that he had a weapon. The suspect demanded money and then fled on foot after taking cash from the victim. No injuries were reported and the suspect is described as a male black adult in his 50s."

Last weekend's incidents:

Friday, Dec. 14 at 10:23 p.m., at P and 18th Streets. A man on a bicycle rode up and grabbed a woman's purse.

Saturday, Dec. 15, at 1:19 a.m., on the 2600 block of I Street. A man crashed into a woman, demanded both her and her friend's purses, and indicated he had a gun. The women didn't see a gun and the suspect fled on the bicycle.

Saturday, Dec. 15, at 11:23 p.m., on the 2100 block of L Street. A man in a wheelchair was robbed of his cash by a man who fled on a nearby bicycle. The victim recognized the suspect, who was described as a thin Indian man, about 55 years old.

Saturday, Dec. 15, at 11:47 p.m., on the 700 block of 26th Street. Two women were robbed by a man who threatened to stab one if they didn't give him their purses. The suspect was described as a white man, with blonde hair, brown eyes, clean shaven, wearing a black raincoat and windbreaker.

Men walk downtown streets with shotguns to protest gun control

2012-12-18T02:08:32Z

Gun rights advocates have been on the defensive after the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. last week, but that didn't stop one group in Sacramento from demonstrating their opposition to gun control in a way that was sure to get attention.

Sacramento police questioned and then released a group of men who walked down one of the city's busiest streets with shotguns over their shoulders Sunday evening.

Two of the men in the group were carrying shotguns when police stopped them at 10th and J streets around 9:20 p.m., according to officer Michelle Gigante. They were found to be in compliance with current open carry laws as the guns were not loaded, Gigante said.

One of the suspects told officers that they wanted to carry the guns in public before it becomes illegal, Gigante said.

The state legislature passed a law in August that bans the carrying of long guns or rifles and shotguns outside of motor vehicles. That law will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Supporters of the law cited the danger posed by mass shootings, including the one in Aurora, Colo., while opponents said it targeted law abiding citizens and was "fear mongering."

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Sheriff’s Department seeks help in finding missing Sacramento teen

2012-12-17T23:03:54Z

The following is a press release from Sergeant Jason Ramos Sheriff’s Spokesman:

The Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help to locate a teenage girl who has been missing for several days. Analyce Dominguez, 15, was last seen Friday morning, December 14th, leaving her home in the 5100 block of Connecticut Drive in Sacramento to go to school. She did not attend school that day, and is considered at-risk, because of her unknown whereabouts being inconsistent with her normal patterns of behavior.

Dominguez (see attached photos) is a Hispanic female, 5’4” tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds. She has long, brown hair and green eyes. It is unknown what clothing Dominguez was wearing on the morning that she disappeared.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of this missing person is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5115.

Police seek help identifying man wanted in connection with sexual assaults in Arden Arcade

2012-12-16T01:49:53Z

The following is a press release from Sacramento Sheriff’s Spokesman Sergeant Jason Ramos:

Sheriff’s detectives are seeking assistance to identify a man wanted in connection to two sex assaults in the Arden Arcade area in recent weeks. The same suspect is believed to be responsible for both incidents, and investigators believe that the public can help in bringing this person to justice.

On November 23, 2012, a woman in her 20’s was attacked inside her apartment in the 3100 block of Trussel Way. The suspect was described as a white or Hispanic male, 5’8” to 6’ tall and weighing between 180 and 220 pounds with a medium to stocky build.

He wore a grey, hooded sweatshirt and a white bandana that covered his face. The suspect entered the victim’s apartment through an unlocked point of entry, and sexually assaulted the victim before fleeing.

Two weeks later, on December 7, 2012, a male with the same physical description forced a woman in her 30’s into her apartment in the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. In this case, the suspect wore a black watchcap. He also sexually assaulted this victim
before fleeing the apartment.

Composite sketches have been prepared in connection with both of these incidents. Anyone believing they know the identity of the individual depicted in the sketches is asked to call the Sheriff’s Sex Assault Bureau at (916) 874-5070. Information may also be given anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com, texted to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering the keyword SSD, or called in to (916) 874-TIPS (8477).

Sacramento police shoot suspect as hostage escapes - Jack in the Box hostage situation on Folsom Boulevard

2012-12-08T22:31:20Z

A series of bangs echoed throughout the College Greens neighborhood at around 2:45 p.m. Saturday as a police SWAT team swarmed into the Jack in the Box on Folsom Boulevard where a man was holding a woman hostage. The suspect was shot by a police sniper and transported to a hospital. His one remaining female hostage escaped unharmed. Earlier, another woman had also escaped.

Police said the incident began at 12:30 p.m. as a robbery of the restaurant at 8349 Folsom Blvd. in the College Greens Shopping Center. When officers arrived shortly after, a standoff ensued. The SWAT team, a hostage negotiation team and dozens of patrol cars surrounded the building.

"We tried for several hours for this to end peacefully and it's very unfortunate that it had to end this way," said Public Information Officer Doug Morse. "The safety of those inside the restaurant as well as those surrounding the restaurant was just paramount. The officers were forced to take action to end this safely."

Police shut down the west end of the shopping center and evacuated nearby businesses. Folsom Boulevard was closed between Juilliard Drive and Notre Dame Drive. A police chopper circled overhead and the media arrived en masse.

As police moved closer to the building, a shot rang out and the restaurant's glass door shattered. The police sharp shooter had hit his target. The hostage fled, throwing the door open at a full sprint before an officer clad in SWAT body armor grabbed her, pulling her down while more officers streamed past, entering the restaurant as the sound of flashbang grenades echoed throughout the area.

"It was a very tense and frightening situation for everyone involved," Morse said.

The New York Times features Sacramento's rising crime rate

2012-11-04T16:19:36Z

Sacramento was featured in the Sunday New York Times, with a blurb teasing to the article on 1A of the Northern California print edition. The topic isn't what the Convention & Visitors Bureau would have hoped for. The piece is about how deep cuts in the Police Department
have coincided with a rise in crime, and how other cities across the county are facing similar challenges.

The article is well-timed for supporters of Measure U, the ballot measure that, if passed onTuesday, will increase the sales tax by one-half cent and direct the money to city services, including the Police Department.

The link: Crime Increases in Sacramento After Deep Cuts to Police Force, by Erica Goode.

A few key points from The New York Times article:

The stats are troublesome:

"While homicides have remained steady, shootings — a more reliable indicator of gun violence — are up 48 percent this year. Rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and vehicle thefts have also increased, though in smaller increments."

The cuts have been deep:

"The shrinking of Sacramento’s police force has been extreme; the department has lost more than 300 sworn officers and civilian staff members and more than 30 percent of its budget since 2008."

Measure U

It may help if Measure U passes on Tuesday, but the police department believes that change is here to say.

"A local sales tax measure on the ballot in Tuesday’s election could restore some financing for the Police Department and other essential services in Sacramento. But Chief Braziel said the budget crisis had forced the department to re-examine how it is organized and what its priorities should be… You’ve got to have a business model,” he said. “The world’s changing, and you’ve got to change. You’ve got to get out in front of it.”

My take:

Cuts to the Police Department were never directly asked about in the District 4 City Council debate hosted by the Sacramento Press last Tuesday, while concerns about the bars in Midtown were. Whatever one thinks about the presence of bars and the way they conduct their business, there has not been a dramatic increase in the number of bars in the neighborhood this year, while there has been a dramatic decrease in resources and officers in the police department.

This is not to say that neighborhood complaints over bars are not important, but if crime is the main concern, the cuts in the Police Department (which were conducted during a rough economic time with high unemployment) would seem to be the bigger issue.

Has the bar debate been a distraction, or is there another way to look at these facts? Discuss below.

Update:

My quick post on this issue generated an interesting and at times insightful debate in the comments. I encourage everyone to read the comments, as there are too many for me to highlight, but let me do my best to resond to their substance.

First, a matter of clarity: My point was that the bar debate has dominated the discussion around crime and has taken up more "air time" than other factors that warrant closer inspection and research, such as the role of the cuts in the police department.

It was not to dismiss the bar debate as a worthy topic of discussion – it's just that at times here on Sac Press, it seems to be the only topic of discussion. Predictably, the debate in the comments quickly took the same direction.

If we want to get into the role of bars and crime, then we have to look at the conditions under which bars do contribute to crime, and then look at how and if those problems can be addressed.

The training of bar staff and security would have to be part of any serious consideration of an issue, which is exactly why the Downtown Partnership is holding a training for bar staff on Tuesday, with a sergeant from the Sacramento Police Department. The training will "cover topics related to nighttime safety, crowd management, trouble patrons, venue security recommendations, code enforcement and more."

If we're talking just about the concentration of bars, then there is another set of issues to consider, such as the need to stagger when bars close, so there isn't a flood of patrons leaving every establishment at once, which increases the risk of fights and the need for extra police and security presence at key hours and places. Where is this happening, where isn't it, and who is doing their job and who isn't? These are the kinds of questions whose answers could help the debate move forward in a way that could produce concrete results.

William Burg mentions "bad actors," which is another issue. Not all bars are equal, and neither are all bar owners. Part of the challenge is that when incidents happen outside of bars, it can be difficult to prove where the perpetrators came from, which frustrates efforts to hold anyone responsible. The police play a direct role here: Are they listening and responding to specific complaints? Is there an ongoing issue that's being ignored? These are tough questions that need to be asked continuously.

Back to the New York Times article. If it is indeed true that shootings are up 48 percent, and rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and vehicle thefts are up by similar numbers (we’ll get the raw data soon), then I think it's reasonable to say that the city is facing bigger crime problems than those associated with the bars on the grid. I would also suggest that it's impossible for the central city to be completely safe while crime is high in adjacent neighborhoods, and a serious consideration of the crime problem in the grid would also involve north Sacramento and Oak Park. That's not to say that there isn't a compacted mess of issues and legitimate concerns around bars. As I’ve tried to make clear, I recognize that's an issue, and that yes, it requires more reporting – but it’s the details that count. If it’s crime we’re concerned about, though, there is also a bigger picture that too often gets overlooked, and the NYT piece was a stark reminder of the broad, systematic and troubling issues the city is facing.

Police: Bystander killed after gunfight at 28th and J Streets in Midtown

2012-08-18T12:28:31Z

This article was produced in partnership with Ed Fogle at SacMav.com

A man in his 30s was killed during an early morning gunfight in the parking lot next to the Ampm gas station at the intersection of 28th and J streets in Midtown, according to the Sacramento Police Department.

Police spokesman Sgt. Andrew Pettit said that while it is still early in the investigation, the evidence police have collected so far indicates that the victim may have been an innocent bystander who was caught in the crossfire as two subjects fired at each other from opposite corners of 28th and J streets.

“It appears right now that the person that was shot didn’t have a relationship with either of the shooters,” Pettit said at the scene early Saturday morning.

Pettit said the police were dispatched at 12:35 a.m. after receiving calls about gunshots in the area and a victim laying in the parking lot. Detectives believe the exchange may have started near the Blimpie parking lot on K Street, and that the shooting did not appear to be a driveby, according to Pettit.

Nelson Rangel Junior, 40, said he was walking from a nearby bar, on his way to meet the victim and his friends when the shooting happened. He said he heard gun shots, and, as he got to the scene, saw that the victim was bleeding from a head wound.

"There was blood everywhere, he'd been hit," Junior said.

The parking lot and the gas station are popular hangouts for crowds leaving the cluster of bars and restaurants on J Street between 27th and 28th Streets. The area has drawn increased scrutiny from residents in recent months, as a spat of incidents has lead some to believe that the bars aren’t doing enough to keep the area safe.

Robert Velarde, 50, said he was walking in Marshall Park across the street when he heard the shots. He later watched as paramedics performed chest compressions on the victim before the man was taken away in an ambulance.

He said he thinks more should be done to make the area more secure late at night.

“If you live around here you want to be in safe a neighborhood, and Saturday night is not a safe night, that’s for sure,” Velarde said.

Statement from Police Spokesman Sgt. Andrew Pettit early Saturday morning:

“Early this morning around 12:35 a.m. in the intersection of J Street and 28th Street here in downtown Sacramento, officers responded to the sounds of shots fired. One witness advised that they actually saw a subject that was shot, laying in a parking lot just west of us here at ampm.

When officers got here that’s when they saw the male. He’s described as a male, white, in his 30s., wth an apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Medical staff arrived on scene and transported him to an area hospital.

Based on interviews we obtained here on the scene and information we gathered and the evidence, it appears that there were two separate individuals shooting at each other and this victim was shot in the middle of the gunfire.

So at this point right now, we’re still looking at all the evidence that we have, CSI and homicide have been called out here and hopefully we’ll get some more information for you as leads develop."

The press release:

The Sacramento Police Department is investigating an early morning shooting that left a male in his 30s deceased.

On August 18, 2012 at 12:35 a.m., police were called to 28th and J Street regarding the sounds of gunshots and a male who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers located the victim in a parking lot with a gunshot wound. Medical personnel arrived on scene and transported the victim to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded to the scene. It was reported that shots were fired during an altercation between two groups near 28th and J Street. Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the victim had no involvement in the dispute and was hit by one of the rounds fired across the parking lot. Detectives are continuing to actively investigate the circumstances that led to this homicide.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Jared Goyette is the editor of The Sacramento Press.

Fire guts old Victorian home near 28th and Q Street in Midtown Sacramento

2012-08-11T19:52:19Z

A fire engulfed an old Victorian house on 28th and Q late Friday night, drawing a crowd of onlookers who watched as firefighters entered the burning building and put out the flames.

About 55 firefighters responded to the scene at 1617 28th St. after the call was dispatched at 11:16 p.m., and it took them about 45 minutes to contain the fire, according to Niko King, Assistant Chief at Sacramento Fire Department.

The residents of the house were not home when the fire started and no one was injured in the blaze.

King said that a crew of seven firefighters entered the home minutes after they arrived to make sure no one was inside.

"They admittedly pushed really hard," King said. "They were going into a building that had a lot of fire involvement but they said they were going to push as hard as they could... to make sure everybody got out of the building."

Investigators believe the fire started in a small shed on another property behind the house, and then spread up the power line and along the back wall of the home before entering the attic.

Neighbor Kara Turner, 32, watched the fire spread soon after it started.

"My son and I were sleeping and we heard a loud pop," she said. "Someone yelled fire - one of our neighbors – and we both woke up and I noticed that the shack in our alley was engulfed in flames, and the power lines were starting to catch fire and snap, and soon after that the house caught on fire.

Flames extended 10-20 feet from the roof as firefighters fought to control the blaze around 11:30 p.m. The sound of glass shattering could be heard as the men made their way through the home. Black, sooty smoke billowed from the attic window and drifted over Winn Park, where a crowd of onlookers rubbed their eyes and took pictures and videos with smart phones.

Video via Sacmav.com.

2 Alarm Victorian Structure Fire, August 10, 2012 from SacMav Rapid Media on Vimeo.

King said that the firefighters took a calculated risk by entering the ground floor of the building while the attic was on fire, since if the fire progressed, the roof could have collapsed while the firefighters were still inside. However, they have years of experience with fires in the old Victorian houses that are typical in Midtown, and knew that they still had time before the roof would give.

“This is definitely a firefighter killer if we don't have the command staff on the outside watching the changing fire positions, firefighters closely watching... and recording what the fire behavior is doing,” he said.

Entering the front of the building is key when dealing with a fire in one of the attics of the old Victorian houses in Sacramento, King explained, because if the firefighters just fought the flames from the outside, they could push the flames through the building.

Instead, they try to save the home by entering the building, and fighting the fire from the inside.

"That's the way we fight these fires,” King said. “You're putting people at risk because you don't know the floor plans, you're sending them into a hot smokey environment, but to save the contents of the house, that's what you have to do.”

This report was produced in partnership with Ed Fogle of Sacmav.com.