1 year ago
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Monday will mark one year since a shooting killed six people and left 12 others injured in Downtown Sacramento.In the days following, memorials for the victims grew as police worked to piece together the evidence.Officials said three of those killed were gang members.About a month later, police arrested three men, who were charged with three counts of murder for the innocent bystanders killed. The deadly shootout left many questioning the safety of the city.But on Saturday, the downtown area was bustling with families, couples and people out enjoying the sunny day, like Adrian Hernandez, his wife and friends. "We're just out on the town getting some drinks, seeing what's out and about, getting some food," he said. Hernandez realized they were standing feet from where the violence took place in the early morning hours of April 3, realizing things could have been much different had they stuck to their original plans a year ago."We were supposed to be down here, but our plans fell through, and we thank our stars we weren't here when it happened," Hernandez said. Hernandez said even though they avoided the violence a year ago, it doesn't keep them away."I think things have gotten better or sadly we have just forgotten," he said. "That's what the vibe is here, everyone is back to normal."But Leia Schenk, the founder of the community grassroots organization, Empact, said the victims should not be forgotten. "There are some people who will never go downtown again. I mean it was just that horrific," she said.Schenk said Empact has been helping the victims' families this past year and asking city leaders to find ways to prevent violence."My questions lie with the city officials. What are you going to do to keep the community safe and to keep the streets safe?' she asked. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg reflected on the violence earlier this week and said the city has not sat idle and taken real action to make a difference downtown."Whether it's the hiring of the nighttime services manager to make sure security and safety coordinating among all the businesses, whether it's increasing our police presence downtown, we now have regular downtown entertainment teams and the bike officers," Steinberg said. Despite the new safety measures, Natalie Chavira said she'll only take in downtown in the daylight."After dark, I'm scared to be out here," she said. "You never know what can happen."Empact is holding a remembrance for the victims on Monday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Monday will mark one year since a shooting killed six people and left 12 others injured in Downtown Sacramento.
In the days following, memorials for the victims grew as police worked to piece together the evidence.
Officials said three of those killed were gang members.
About a month later, police arrested three men, who were charged with three counts of murder for the innocent bystanders killed.
The deadly shootout left many questioning the safety of the city.
But on Saturday, the downtown area was bustling with families, couples and people out enjoying the sunny day, like Adrian Hernandez, his wife and friends.
"We're just out on the town getting some drinks, seeing what's out and about, getting some food," he said.
Hernandez realized they were standing feet from where the violence took place in the early morning hours of April 3, realizing things could have been much different had they stuck to their original plans a year ago.
"We were supposed to be down here, but our plans fell through, and we thank our stars we weren't here when it happened," Hernandez said.
Hernandez said even though they avoided the violence a year ago, it doesn't keep them away.
"I think things have gotten better or sadly we have just forgotten," he said. "That's what the vibe is here, everyone is back to normal."
But Leia Schenk, the founder of the community grassroots organization, Empact, said the victims should not be forgotten.
"There are some people who will never go downtown again. I mean it was just that horrific," she said.
Schenk said Empact has been helping the victims' families this past year and asking city leaders to find ways to prevent violence.
"My questions lie with the city officials. What are you going to do to keep the community safe and to keep the streets safe?' she asked.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg reflected on the violence earlier this week and said the city has not sat idle and taken real action to make a difference downtown.
"Whether it's the hiring of the nighttime services manager to make sure security and safety coordinating among all the businesses, whether it's increasing our police presence downtown, we now have regular downtown entertainment teams and the bike officers," Steinberg said.
Despite the new safety measures, Natalie Chavira said she'll only take in downtown in the daylight.
"After dark, I'm scared to be out here," she said. "You never know what can happen."
Empact is holding a remembrance for the victims on Monday.
English (US)