Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
3rd Suspect Named in Sacramento Shooting That Killed 6
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 years ago on
April 13, 2022

Share

 

Sacramento police on Tuesday named a third suspect in what they say was a gang-related mass shooting in downtown Sacramento that killed six people earlier this month.

They said evidence gathered so far indicates that Mtula Payton, 27, was among at least five suspected shooters. Two brothers are in custody in the case, but Payton remains at large.

Payton is being sought on multiple felony warrants, including for gun charges and domestic violence.

Police ID Suspects as a Shooter

The domestic violence warrant stems from an incident on the afternoon of April 2, hours before the downtown shooting.

Police responded to the home of one of Payton’s relatives and talked to a woman with injuries. She alleged that Payton had inflicted her wounds. Officers didn’t find Payton there, but they sought an arrest warrant.

“We are examining all aspects of this incident to understand it as thoroughly as possible,” the department said in a statement.

Police for the first time also named Smiley Martin as among the suspected shooters. Martin faces charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun. It wasn’t clear if he had an attorney who could speak for him.

They previously had said his brother, Dandrae Martin, was one of those who opened fire. No one has been charged with homicide as the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office reviews the evidence.

More Than 100 Shots Fired

Both brothers were among the 12 wounded in the shooting bars just blocks from California’s Capitol that broke out early April 3 as bars were letting out. Rapid-fire bursts of more than 100 gunshots echoed through the downtown entertainment area as terrified patrons ran for their lives and others were struck by bullets.

Smiley Martin remains hospitalized, and Dandrae Martin is being held without bail in the county jail.

Payton is a fugitive whose current whereabouts are unknown, police said. They said detectives have exhausted all leads and asked for the public’s help in locating him.

Just one gun was recovered at the scene of the shooting, but police said others were apparently removed before officers arrived. Police have declined to provide more details or name the gangs they say were involved or the affiliation of any suspects.

“The investigation has moved very quickly in this first week, and it will continue until we can present prosecutors and the public with a complete picture of this terrible crime,” Police Chief Kathy Lester said in a statement.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno County’s Firestone Fire Grows, Personnel Added to Contain the Blaze

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Allan Saly

DON'T MISS

Israel’s Next Target Is Fordo, a Nuclear Site Hidden in a Mountain

DON'T MISS

World Stocks Fall, Oil Prices Jump After Israel Attacks Iran

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Deputies Seek Information in 2020 San Joaquin Homicide

DON'T MISS

Teen Dating Violence on the Rise in Fresno. What Are the Warning Signs?

DON'T MISS

US Senate Republicans Seek to Limit Judges’ Power via Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

Missiles Fired at Israel in Response to Israeli Attacks

DON'T MISS

Fresno to Join International Protests for ‘No Kings Day’ Saturday. Here Is What to Know

DON'T MISS

US Gave Regional Allies Heads up on Israel’s Planned Attack on Iran

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Allan Saly

UP NEXT

Israel’s Next Target Is Fordo, a Nuclear Site Hidden in a Mountain

UP NEXT

World Stocks Fall, Oil Prices Jump After Israel Attacks Iran

UP NEXT

Fresno County Deputies Seek Information in 2020 San Joaquin Homicide

UP NEXT

Teen Dating Violence on the Rise in Fresno. What Are the Warning Signs?

UP NEXT

US Senate Republicans Seek to Limit Judges’ Power via Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Missiles Fired at Israel in Response to Israeli Attacks

UP NEXT

Fresno to Join International Protests for ‘No Kings Day’ Saturday. Here Is What to Know

UP NEXT

US Gave Regional Allies Heads up on Israel’s Planned Attack on Iran

UP NEXT

4 Detainees Have Escaped From an Immigration Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey, DHS Says

World Stocks Fall, Oil Prices Jump After Israel Attacks Iran

54 minutes ago

Fresno County Deputies Seek Information in 2020 San Joaquin Homicide

56 minutes ago

Teen Dating Violence on the Rise in Fresno. What Are the Warning Signs?

1 hour ago

US Senate Republicans Seek to Limit Judges’ Power via Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

1 hour ago

Missiles Fired at Israel in Response to Israeli Attacks

1 hour ago

Fresno to Join International Protests for ‘No Kings Day’ Saturday. Here Is What to Know

1 hour ago

US Gave Regional Allies Heads up on Israel’s Planned Attack on Iran

2 hours ago

4 Detainees Have Escaped From an Immigration Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey, DHS Says

2 hours ago

Wall Street Falls as Israel’s Attack on Iran Erodes Risk Appetite

2 hours ago

California’s Battle Against Homelessness Needs a ‘Combined Arms’ Approach

3 hours ago

Fresno County’s Firestone Fire Grows, Personnel Added to Contain the Blaze

A wildfire burning west of Coalinga has grown to 482 acres and is 25% contained as of 12:11 p.m. on Friday, according to CalFire. The Firest...

10 minutes ago

10 minutes ago

Fresno County’s Firestone Fire Grows, Personnel Added to Contain the Blaze

Allan Saly is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for June 13, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
24 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Allan Saly

26 minutes ago

Israel’s Next Target Is Fordo, a Nuclear Site Hidden in a Mountain

A man looks at an electronic board displaying sector performances related to Nikkei index outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, May 13, 2025. (Reuters File)
54 minutes ago

World Stocks Fall, Oil Prices Jump After Israel Attacks Iran

Fresno County detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a vehicle connected to the 2020 shooting death of Rosendo Herrera in San Joaquin
56 minutes ago

Fresno County Deputies Seek Information in 2020 San Joaquin Homicide

1 hour ago

Teen Dating Violence on the Rise in Fresno. What Are the Warning Signs?

The U.S. Capitol building is pictured at sunset on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2019. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Senate Republicans Seek to Limit Judges’ Power via Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
1 hour ago

Missiles Fired at Israel in Response to Israeli Attacks

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend