Sacramento police are appealing for public help to find the multiple shooters who opened fire in the city on Sunday morning, killing six people and leaving the California city with "a broken heart," according to the mayor.
Apart from the six dead, 12 others were injured at the site of the incident near 10th and Kashmir roads, police said in a statement.
The officials, reacting to the sound of firing at around 2 am, found that a large group had gathered as well as the victims of the shooting, the statement said.
Police said, "Authorities began life-saving measures for several victims at the scene. Despite these efforts, six victims were pronounced dead at the scene. 12 other victims were also found, with varying degrees of pain." is," said the police.
Sacramento Police Chief Catherine Lester said three men and three women were among the dead. In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, he said that 12 injured were being treated in regional hospitals.
"Investigators are working to identify those responsible for this horrific act. We know there was a major fight right before the shooting. And we've confirmed that there are multiple shooters," Lester said.
She said investigators were examining several witnesses and found hundreds of evidence from the scene, including a stolen gun.
Lester thanked members of the public for sending suggestions and videos from the incident, some of which he said were also captured by a nearby police camera.
"We are shocked and heartbroken by this tragedy, but we are also determined as an agency to find those responsible and bring justice to the victims and their families," he said.
In an earlier statement, the police said that the social media video shows the altercation before the shooting.
He appealed to the public to send in any additional photos or videos.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration was monitoring the situation.
"What we do know at this point is that there has been another mass shooting, leaving the families of loved ones lost, several people injured and a community mourning," the governor said in a statement.
"The crisis of gun violence continues to be a crisis in our country, and we must resolve to end this genocide."
Investigation continues
"9th to 13th St. between L. St. and J. St. is closed as officers investigate a shooting involving multiple victims," Sacramento Police previously tweeted. "The situation is unknown at this time. Please avoid the area as there will be a large police presence and the scene will remain active."
Lester told reporters Sunday morning that a large crowd had gathered in the area when the shootings took place, but it was not clear whether the crowd was linked to a specific venue or event.
The shooting scene is within a few blocks of several notable sites: the California State Capitol, Sacramento City Hall and Golden 1 Center, where the Sacramento Kings are scheduled to play Sunday night.
"Our community is saddened as we mourn those who have died needlessly from gun violence today," Kings said in a statement. "Our prayers are with the injured and (our) hearts are with all the families affected by this devastating act."
Community activist Berry Asius told CNN-linked KCRA that he arrived at the scene immediately after the shooting.
"The first thing I saw was the kind of victims. I saw a young girl with a whole bunch of blood all over her body, a girl taking out a glass from her, a young girl screaming, 'They killed my sister. ' A mother ran and said, 'Where is my son, has my son been shot?'" he said.
In a news conference on Sunday, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg shared his grief about the mass shootings.
"This morning, our city is heartbroken. This is a senseless and unacceptable tragedy, and I insist on the word unacceptable," Steinberg said. "Thoughts and prayers, of course, are fitting for the victims and their families. And those who are still fighting for their lives in the hospital. But thoughts and prayers are not nearly enough. We need to do more as a city should, as a state and as a nation."
Steinberg referred to the country's struggle with gun violence as a "disease" and called for early intervention and prevention for young people. He said several families of the victims had gathered at City Hall waiting for information.
At the news conference, several city council members appealed to the Sacramento community to share any information or video recorded from the shooting.
The mayor had earlier tweeted, 'My shock and sadness this morning cannot be expressed in words. "It is difficult to understand the number of dead and injured. We are waiting for more information about what really happened in this tragic incident."