What you should know about the Sacramento shooting

Six people were killed and at least a dozen injured in downtown Sacramento Sunday in what authorities say is the largest mass shooting in the city’s history.

This tragedy comes just about a month after another shooting in the Sacramento area, in which a man gunned down his three children outside a church. It’s an explosion of violence that reflects a nationwide trend.

“What happened last night is the biggest and most recent example of what we all know: gun violence is truly a crisis in our community — and it’s on the rise not just here in Sacramento but across the country,” said Kathy Lester, the chief of Sacramento police said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.

In 2022, there were five mass killings across the country — defined as the killing of four or more people, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that collects data on shootings. Three of them were in California.

Many state officials used the weekend shooting to renew calls for anti-gun violence laws. Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a bill that would allow residents to sue gun manufacturers.

“Unfortunately, we once again mourn the loss of lives and those injured in yet another horrific act of gun violence,” Newsom said in a statement on Sunday, adding, “We must resolve to put an end to this slaughter.” “

Sunday’s shooting happened just after 2 a.m. as people poured out of clubs that were closing in downtown Sacramento. Lester said when officers responded to the scene, they found a large crowd and at least half a dozen people shot “in a truly tragic situation.”

She said several shooters were involved and that police recovered at least one firearm, a stolen handgun. Although it was unclear what had led to the violence, police said they were investigating an altercation that took place earlier. (Officials are asking people to share any videos that may be related to the shooting.)

Officials have not released any further details about the victims or their condition. My colleagues reported that on Sunday afternoon, the sidewalks outside clubs were covered in shards of glass and littered with dozens of bullet casings as officers searched what Lester described as a complex crime scene.

“I’ve got a son in bed down there,” Fred Harris, 63, a Sacramento resident, told the New York Times. He said he was awakened in the middle of the night by a call from his daughter, who was sobbing to say that his son Sergio Harris, 38, was among those killed.

Leticia Harris, 35, Sergio Harris’ wife, said he is a landscape gardener with three children, aged between 5 and 11. He had nothing to do with the shooting, she said, other than being caught in the crossfire.

“He was a happy guy, a family man, loved his kids,” she said. “He was just enjoying himself in a pub.”

For more:

The rest of the news

• Oyster poisoning: State officials are warning Californians not to eat British Columbia oysters after 34 people were infected with the norovirus, reports The Associated Press.

• Diversity law blocked: A California law requiring diversity on corporate boards has been found unconstitutional.

• Unclaimed change: According to The Associated Press, up to $600 million in nickel and dime deposits are unclaimed in California for recyclable cans and bottles.

• Controlled burns: California once outlawed Native American fire practices. Now it’s asking tribes to use them to prevent wildfires, CNN reports.

• Student homelessness: Nearly 20 percent of California community college students say they have experienced homelessness in the past year, reports The Guardian.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

• Homeless Shelter: Los Angeles has agreed to pay for up to 16,000 beds in a $3 billion deal to house the homeless, NBC reports.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

• milk thief: A killing spree that spanned five rural Tulare County dairy farms ended last week when lawmakers made four arrests after a shooting, the Visalia Times-Delta reports.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

• Snow cover disappears: Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which provides a significant portion of California’s water supply, has fallen to a seven-year low, CalMatters reports.

• New buddy: A beloved peregrine falcon that lives atop UC Berkeley’s clock tower has found a new mate to help hatch both of their eggs, reports The Associated Press.

• Salesforce Tower: Tenants of San Francisco’s tallest building are switching to hybrid work, which could spell trouble for downtown, reports The San Francisco Standard.

what you get

Midwesterners are moving to Los Angeles. Which house should you choose?

Where we are traveling

Today’s tip comes from Jerry Borgé, whose favorite spot in California is Dodger Stadium:

“I moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco in the fall of 2003. Pacific Bell Park (now known as Oracle Park) made its debut in 2000 as the home of the Giants the beautiful views of the Bay Bridge and Oakland from the top deck.

One spring afternoon in 2004, I drove to the top-deck box office at Dodger Stadium to get tickets to a Dodgers game. Little did I know the upper deck would be open to the public, so having tickets in hand, I took a peek at the pitch. I grew up with my hometown Houston Astros in the 70’s and 80’s when they played a lot of games in LA as they were divisional rivals. I’ve always loved the (what I now know as mid-century modern design) of the Outfield Pavilion and the iconic character of the 56,000-seat venue. However, I didn’t realize until I saw it in person that there are mountains behind the stadium that can be seen from the reserve level and upper deck. Dodger Stadium can only be seen from certain vantage points as it is hidden in the Chavez Gorge.

The ballpark is now 60 years old (the third oldest in the major leagues) and fortunately the owner has continually improved this architectural gem. I’ve been to over 20 MLB stadiums and Dodger Stadium is definitely my favorite of them all, not to mention my lucky spot in Los Angeles.”

Tell us about your favorite places in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We will share more in future editions of the newsletter.

tell us

What’s the Best Part of Spring in California? Email me at CAtoday@nytimes.com and your contribution may be included in a future newsletter.

And before you go, some good news

This spring, the Yurok tribe of far northern California will be releasing California condors back into the wild.

The great vultures once lived throughout California but were wiped out in the early 20th century.

The tribe plans to release four young condors into Redwood National and State Parks this year, followed by six more per year for the next two decades, Tiana Williams-Claussen, director of the Yurok Tribe’s wildlife department, told WBUR.

“It almost seems unreal,” said Williams-Claussen. “What I envision is that moment where they’re just part of our lives again and anytime I could just look up and see them in the sky.”

Thank you for reading. i will be back tomorrow — Soumya

PS Here is today’s mini crosswordand a hint: put on a quick one (4 letters).

Mariel Wamsley and Jonah Candelario contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com.

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