Sacramento police are now saying they believe five shooters were involved in the mass shooting on K street that left six people dead.
Investigators also believe the shooting was gang-related but not elaborating on how or what gang. Two suspects are currently behind bars in connection to the violence - brothers Dandrae and Smiley Martin. Smiley's criminal history is also being brought to light today. He was recently granted parole and released early from a 10-year-prison sentence and considered a violent offender. Some California lawmakers are calling the early release of a criminal like Smiley a failure on the safety for state residents. “As detectives continue to identify shooters and weapons involved, the number of identified shooters may grow beyond five,” police officials said in a press release Wednesday morning. “This tragedy downtown is a very public example of what families in many of our neighborhoods know too well,“ said Chief Kathy Lester. “The suffering inflicted by gang violence does not limit itself to gang members. It spills over to claim and shatter innocent lives and harm our entire community.”
The Sacramento District Attorney's Office argued against his release, urging the Board of Parole Hearings that Martin remain in custody. He is facing firearm charges related to the shooting. Police also arresting a third person, but he has since been released on bail.