Two men found dead likely shot each other in gunfight—California police

An investigation has been launched after two people were killed in a shooting at an apartment complex in California.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said they received a call at around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, from the 8300 block of Walerga Road in Antelope stating that a person had been shot.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found an adult male victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Deputies began rendering life-saving aid before the victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

While at the scene, deputies found another male who was unresponsive inside a vehicle at another location within the same complex. Investigators believe he may have been involved in the same shooting incident as the other male.

After deputies again initiated life-saving aid, the second male was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office believes the men knew each other and had some sort of altercation that led to the shooting.

“They most likely knew each other. They were talking here in the parking lot and might have had some sort of a disagreement,” Sgt. Rod Grassmann told KCRA. “We believe both of them shot at each other—perhaps at point-blank range—but at a closer range, and both people were hit.

“Gang violence is a big problem in this county and that is the root of crime and particularly the homicides that occur here,” added Grassmann.

The sheriff’s office said they were on scene investigating and interviewing witnesses for several hours on Saturday. Grassmann told KTXL that investigators aren’t looking for a shooter as part of the investigation.

“One thing about this sort of a situation is, it can happen anywhere. It doesn’t have to be at a place where it’s designated as somewhere, where there is a lot of crime or not. These happen in the best and worst of neighborhoods,” Grassman said.

The victims will be identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office pending notification of next of kin. No further details about the shooting have been released.

Michelle Cruz, a neighbor in the complex, said they could hear the police sirens and helicopters in the wake of the shooting

“He was on the ground and they were taking him to the hospital,” Cruz told ABC 10. “I heard there were a couple of mask men.”

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted for further comment.

Detectives are asking anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).