What we know about the 6 people killed in downtown Sacramento mass shooting
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
All six people who died in Sunday morning’s mass shooting in downtown Sacramento were identified by the coroner’s office Monday morning. Twelve other people were hurt in the shooting.
The three men and three women who died ranged in ages from 21 to 57.
KCRA 3 spoke with the families of the people killed. Here is what we’ve learned about each of them.
Sergio Harris, 38, of North Highlands
Sergio was the first person identified in the mass shooting. His mother, Pamela Harris, was at the shooting scene that morning, waiting to see if her son was among those killed.
“My son was a very vivacious young man,” Pamela said. “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.”
Harris told KCRA 3 that she had just had dinner with her son Saturday night.
Sergio’s wife Leticia Harris also spoke to KCRA 3.
“This is a sad and terrible act of violence that took the lives of many,” she said. “I want answers so I can have closure for my children.”
Joshua Hoye-Luchessi, 32, of Salinas
Sherilyn is now grieving the loss of her son, looking through old photos and reminiscing about how he changed her life.
Sherilyn said she received a phone call from Joshua’s girlfriend at 2:45 the morning of the shooting, telling her that Joshua had been shot and killed.
She later saw photos and videos of Joshua on social media.
“It was a post of my son on the ground dead. It was sent to me through Instagram. My son was lying on the ground dead,” Sherilyn said.
Joshua leaves behind six children — five girls and one boy — all younger than 9 years old.
Sherilyn said she is planning the funeral for Joshua, who was born and raised in Sacramento, near her home.
Melinda Davis, 57, who was living unhoused in Sacramento
Melinda Davis was unhoused in Sacramento and had used the services of Loaves & Fishes off and on, the organization said.
“Melinda used Maryhouse services off and on for some time,” Loaves & Fishes said. “This was a space she came to find respite from the trauma of living on the streets of our city. Together we mourn the loss of her life along with five others and hold on to hope that those injured recover quickly.”
Johntaya “JoJo” Alexander, 21, of Elk Grove
Alexander was known as JoJo, her father John Alexander said.
“My baby was just starting life” after getting her own place less than six months ago, he said. The youngest of four siblings, JoJo worked at Smart and Final and had a dream of becoming a social worker.
Alexander said that his daughter was shot after going downtown to pick up her sister.
“She wasn’t able to run too far before she just went down,” he said.
Alexander said JoJo “always called in and checked on me” and would have turned age 22 on April 30.
DeVazia Turner, 29, of Carmichael
Penelope Scott, Turner’s mother, said it took her 10 hours after the shooting happened before she was told that her son was among the six killed.
Turner was born and raised in Sacramento, and Scott said her son was at her home to take a shower and eat food before heading out for the night.
When she heard what happened, she went to the shooting scene to see it for herself and to be where he took his last breath.
“I’m really hurt. I only have one son. One, only one. I got three daughters but one son, and he’s gone. He’s never coming back,” Scott said. “What hurts the most is they took a great person out of this world. He didn’t deserve that.
Turner leaves behind four children.
Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21, of Selma
Frank Gonzales is Martinez-Andrade’s stepfather. He said the family is still trying to get to the bottom of things when no one initially knocked on their door to let them know what happened.
“We’re all in shock, still in shock,” Gonzalez said.
Where the investigation stands
Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester said Sunday that the shooting broke out after a large fight in the area, multiple shooters were believed to be involved and a stolen gun was recovered at the scene.
At least three nearby buildings and three cars were also hit by gunfire, Lester told KCRA 3 on Monday. Lester also announced that a 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Dandrae Martin was taken into custody and booked on charges of assault with a firearm and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
Sacramento Police Department SWAT members and detectives also served search warrants at three residences in the area. At least one handgun was recovered, police said.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying who is responsible.
In a video, more than 70 gunshots could be heard as people ran to safety.
President Joe Biden and political leaders across California have condemned the shooting.