Dandrae Martin: Sacramento Suspect Identified

Dandrae Martin was identified as one of suspects accused in relation to the mass shootings in Sacramento, California, that left 18 people wounded on April 3, with six of them dying.

Martin, 26, was identified by Sacramento police, who called him a “related suspect.” His exact role is not clear; he was booked on charges of assault and illegal firearm possession only, police said. Police said in a news release that they found 100 casings at the scene. At least three vehicles and three buildings were struck by gunfire, police said. They have not identified Martin as a shooter. However, his was the first suspect name released.

Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert issued a statement after the arrest, saying, “This individual has not been arrested for any homicide related to this incident. The investigation is highly complex involving many witnesses, videos of numerous types and significant physical evidence.”

On April 5, 2022, police announced the arrest of Smiley Martin, Dandrae Martin’s brother.

“A second suspect has now been identified in this incident. 27-year-old Smiley Martin was located at the scene with serious injuries from gunfire and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Smiley Martin was quickly identified as a person of interest and has remained under the supervision of an officer at the hospital while his treatment continues. Based on information developed during this investigation, Smiley Martin was taken into custody by Sacramento Police Department detectives on April 5, 2022,” the Sacramento Police Department wrote in a news release.

“Once Smiley Martin’s medical care has been completed and he is determined to be fit for incarceration, he will be booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun.”

The victims have been identified as Johntaya Alexander, Melinda Davis, Yamile Martinez-Andrade, Sergio Harris, Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi and Devazia Turner.

GofundMe, TwitterVictims of the April 3 mass shooting in Sacramento.

Videos captured the sound of gunfire erupting and show a wild fight on a sidewalk as reports broke of a Sacramento active shooter and mass shooting downtown.

The shooting occurred near 10th and J Streets, according to social media reports. Several videos emerged that captured multiple gunshots. You can see them later in this story. Sacramento police said there are “multiple victims.”

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Martin Posted on Facebook About Being ‘Hit’

A Facebook page in Martin’s name, which said he was from Sacramento, included a post on April 3 at 6:49 a.m. saying, “Smh I’m hit…”

One commenter on the post wrote, “Hold Cho Head Bro I’m Prayin Fa Y’all 🥺.” Another wrote, “Yo y’all good … YOo wut bout SMiLey.”

On March 30, Martin wrote, “Awwww B****** mad I broke the b**** then freed the b**** 😂.” On March 28, he wrote, “My mouth piece is dangerous 😒”

His cover photo on Facebook shows people using their fingers as mock guns. On March 29 he also shared a video of a handgun made from Legos.

The deceased victims of Sunday’s shooting were all adults: three men and three women, according to Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester, speaking in a news conference the day of the shooting.

Police had earlier tweeted “Officers located at least 15 shooting victims, including 6 who are deceased. There will be a media staging area at 9th St/K St. Continue to follow this thread for updates.”

911 Action Photography later posted an update on Facebook saying, “Upon arrival fire quickly updated to Multi-Casualty Incident due to multiple patients from primary scene at 10th and K Street to 10th and J Street. Additional patients were located on 9th Street and 11th Street as well.”

2. Martin Is an Aspiring Rapper; There Were Multiple Shooters, Police Say

Daily Beast identified Martin as an “aspiring rapper” under the name “Dredamacc” on YouTube and Soundcloud, where he said he was from Sacramento and Phoenix.

His YouTube videos include scenes of guns.

“Investigators are working to identify those response for this horrific act,” Lester said. “We know that a large fight took place just prior to the shootings, and we have confirmed that there are multiple shooters.”

911 Action Photography, which takes images at the scene of breaking news events, wrote, “Per radio traffic there were reports of a vehicle driving down the street at a high rate of speed and firing into the crowd at the time of the incident.”

“Woke up to learn mass shooting happened around 2 am near 10th and K in Sacramento. So terrifying,” wrote one woman on Twitter.

Another video also emerged on Twitter that captured the sound of multiple gunshots.

Public Safety Network was also shooting video from the scene. Their reporter said in the video there was a “multi-casualty” shooting. About 10 ambulances were at the scene, and the shooting broke out when bars were letting out.

There are “victims all over the corner,” the journalist says in the video, which you can see below.

Social media reports initially indicated there might be up to 13 victims, but police later confirmed it was even worse than that.

3. Martin Has a Criminal History; Video Showed a Brawl on a Sidewalk Before Gunshots Rang Out

Martin has a criminal history. In 2014, Martin was accused of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse. He received a term of probation.

According to The Sacramento Bee, Martin “also has 2018 convictions in Maricopa County, Arizona, for a count of criminal damage and a marijuana violation, as well as 2016 conviction of aggravated assault and domestic violence by impeding breathing.”

At least three videos circulated on social media that captured the sounds of multiple gunshots. One of them showed a brawl on a sidewalk involving multiple people before you can hear the gunshots at the end of the video.

One video captured a massive barrage of gunfire as people screamed and ran. Be forewarned that graphic language can be heard in it.

Police wrote on Twitter, “We are aware of a social media video that appears to show an altercation that preceded the shooting. We encourage any community members with related video to follow the link/QR code below to submit the video to SPD.”

4. Police Say the ‘Scale of Violence’ Was Unprecedented in the Last 27 Years

Lester said in a news conference that there are families who are “just simply not coming home today.” She said police were “committing a great deal of resources to this crime.”

She called the “scale of violence” unprecedented in her 27 years in Sacramento.

Around 2 a.m., officers heard gunshots near 10th street and K street and saw people running. They were on scene almost immediately. They encountered a large crowd and multiple gunshot victims. Officers began giving aid to the victims, Lester said.

Sacramento police were assisted by members of the California Highway Patrol and the Sacramento Fire Department, she said.

Police are interviewing witnesses and processing evidence, Lester said. Buildings were struck by gunfire. Police have video from a police camera at 10th and K that captured part of the shooting, she said.

In an early morning tweet, Sacramento police did confirm some basic information.

In a tweet at 4 a.m. Pacific time, Sacramento Police wrote, “ADVISORY: 9th St to 13th St is closed between L St & J St as officers investigate a shooting with multiple victims. Conditions unknown at this time. Please avoid the area as a large police presence will remain and the scene remains active. Please follow this thread for updates.”

Malik Earnest, a San Diego journalist, wrote on Twitter, “Social media reports indicate a person in a car pulled out an automatic weapon and started shooting into a crowd gathered outside El Santo Restaurant & Ultralounge in the Downtown area of Sacramento. Radio traffic from first responders last indicated at least six people are dead.”

Earnest added, “Video posted to Snapchat shows first responders of Sacramento Fire Department and law enforcement on scene of a multi-casualty incident in the Downtown area of Sacramento. Witnesses report hearing more than fifty gunshots followed by a car screeching away from the scene.”

Twitter user Matt Fern wrote, “Sac FD and PD, West Sac FD working a shooting MCI in the area of K St and 10th St, with at least 10 victims reported; 2 battalion chiefs, EMS officer, 10 medics, 3 engines, 2 trucks assigned.” He added, “Two additional SFD battalion chiefs, 2200, and 2201 responding; crews on scene advising multiple fatalities expected, no exact patient count available yet.”

5. Council Members Called for Action to Stop Gun Violence

Twitter reports claimed the shooter was in a blue BMW. “Police interviewing witnesses at 9th and K and putting together an idea of who did the drive by. Blue BMW. On the loose. Heavily armed. Report to police. Citizen Hotel shot once,” one person wrote.

Sacramento City Councilmember Katie Valenzuela said in a news conference, “At 2:30 this morning, I got the call that no elected officials wants to get. I haven’t really slept since.” She said she was “heartbroken, and I’m outraged, I’m outraged. She called it a “national epidemic. … Enough is enough.”

Too many people are fighting for their lives in Sacramento’s hospitals, city councilmember Angelique Ashby said.

“I hate being here today, but there is no where else I would be because I love Sacramento,” she said.

Councilmember Rick Jennings said, “This is a tough day for all of us.”

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