Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Via AP news wire

Family, friends mourn 6 victims of California mass shooting

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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.

SERGIO HARRIS

Described by family members as the life of the party, Harris was a frequent presence at the London nightclub which is 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.”

Harris is survived by his wife and children, ABC 10 reported.

YAMILE MARTINEZ-ANDRADE

Martinez-Andrade 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.

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,” Frank Turner told the TV station.

Devazia Turner lived in Vacaville, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) 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.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.