Share
SACRAMENTO — A father of four. A best friend with a positive personality. A vivacious partygoer. The six people who were killed during a mass shooting in California’s capital city were remembered by their friends and family on Monday as few details were released about the weekend violence.
Dozens of rapid-fire gunshots rang out early Sunday in the crowded streets of California’s capital city, leaving three women and three men dead and 12 people wounded.
Investigators were searching for at least two shooters who were responsible for the violence on the outskirts of Sacramento’s main entertainment district that occurred as bars and nightclubs were closing. On Monday morning, small memorials with candles, balloons, and flowers had been placed near the crime scene.
Few details have been made public as police seek to piece together the incident and implore witnesses to come forward with tips and videos.
The Sacramento County coroner released the identities of the six people killed. They were Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21; Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and Devazia Turner, 29.
Harris and Turner were cousins, according to FOX 40.
On Monday, police did announce the arrest of Dandre Martin, 26, as a “related suspect” on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and being a convict carrying a loaded gun. Detectives and SWAT team members found one handgun during searches of three homes in the area.
YAMILE MARTINEZ-ANDRADE
Martinez-Andrade of Selma was killed in front of her best friend, according to ABC 10.
She was described as someone who “brought light to the room,” the station reported and had a positive outlook.
“There was never a dull moment with her. She has a beautiful heart and a beautiful mind. Everyone misses her so much,” her best friend, who was not named, told ABC 10.
MELINDA DAVIS
Melinda Davis was a “very sassy lady” who lived on the streets of Sacramento near the shooting site, The Sacramento Bee reported.
Shawn Peter, a guide with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership who had known Davis for 15 years, told the newspaper that she had been homeless and lived in the area on and off for a decade.
Officials had helped her find housing before the pandemic began but she had returned to the downtown business district in recent months, Peter said. A small bouquet of purple roses with a note saying “Melinda Rest In Peace” was left on the street in her memory.
“Melinda was a very eccentric individual, a very sassy lady,” he told the newspaper. “This was her world, 24/7.”
SERGIO HARRIS
Described by family members as the life of the party, Harris was a frequent presence at the London nightclub near the shooting scene.
“My son was a very vivacious young man,” his mother, Pamela Harris, told KCRA 3. “Fun to be around, liked to party, smiling all the time. Don’t bother people. For this to happen is crazy. I’m just to the point right now, I don’t know what to do. I don’t even feel like this is real. I feel like this is a dream.”
His family members congregated at the crime scene Sunday after they hadn’t heard from him for hours. Later that day, Harris was the first victim publicly identified by the coroner.
“This is a sad and terrible act of violence that took the lives of many,” his wife, Leticia Harris, told KCRA 3. “I want answers so I can have closure for my children.”
DEVAZIA TURNER
Turner had spent his night out with friends and his cousin at the London nightclub, his father, Frank Turner, told FOX 40.
“He was out just having fun with his friends,” Turner said.
Devazia Turner lived in Vacaville, about 30 miles southwest of the crime scene, but was from Sacramento, his father told ABC 10.
His sister, Tamika Young, told KPIX TV that Turner was the father of four children.
“I just want to make sure the world knows that he was loved,” Young said. “My little brother, he was a family dude. … He had love in him.”
RELATED TOPICS:
Did California’s Massive COVID Homeless Shelter Program Work? A New Evaluation Probes the Results
2 hours ago
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Is Rookie of the Year After a Record-Setting Season
2 hours ago
Murray Tosses Heat Pack, Coach Screams at Officials as Frustrated Nuggets Lose Again
2 hours ago
India Votes in Third Phase of National Elections; Modi Escalates His Rhetoric Against Muslims
2 hours ago
New York Governor Regrets Saying Black Kids in The Bronx Don’t Know What a Computer Is
3 hours ago
Boy Scouts of America Changing Name to More Inclusive Scouting America After Years of Woes
4 hours ago
Israeli Forces Seize Rafah Crossing in Gaza, Threatening Aid and Putting Cease-Fire Talks on Edge
4 hours ago
Testifying in Hush Money Trial, Porn Actor Stormy Daniels Describes First Meeting Trump
4 hours ago
Own a Business? Learn How to Get a Piece of the $5.5 Billion Visa/Mastercard Settlement