Gunmen open fire at toddler’s birthday, partygoers shoot back

When a group of gunmen walked up to a 1-year-old’s birthday party at a park in Sacramento over the weekend and opened fire, some of the partygoers pulled out their own guns and shot back, police said.

“During the confrontation, people from that party fired back at the suspects, and the suspects fled,” said Sacramento police Officer Michele Gigante.

A man in his 20s at the party was killed. Six others were shot, including a 7-year-old girl. None of their injuries was considered life-threatening, Sacramento police Officer Michele Gigante said.

No arrests have been made and authorities are searching for the shooters.

The gunfire broke out about 5 p.m. Saturday at Peregrine Park, police said.

The party was attended by 30 children and more than 20 adults, Gigante said. Investigators believe the assailants got out of a car, walked over to the party and, targeting a group of adults, opened fire.

Police did not say how many gunmen they are seeking but said they believe the incident was gang-related.

“It’s usually very peaceful, and the park is packed on the weekends,” resident Alraj Singh, 31, told the Sacramento Bee. “Now we don’t feel safe to take our kid over there anymore.”

Investigators are still searching for additional witnesses. Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to call the department’s dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or a crime hotline at (916) 443-4357.