California mass shooting: What we know about killings at King City house party
Three men were found dead in a front yard in King City on Sunday 3 March while a female died at hospital, reports Dan Gooding
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Masked men killed four people and left seven others injured at a house party in California on Sunday evening.
The suspects remain on the run as of Monday morning, with locals in King City warned to keep away from them.
Here is everything we know so far about the latest mass shooting.
Police were called to a shooting at a house party
King City Police Department in California were called out to a house on the 200 Block of N 2nd Street on Sunday 3 March at around 6pm, following reports of shots being fired.
A birthday party was being held at the residence, cops said, with multiple people hanging out in the front yard.
A silver Kia pulled up outside, three men got out and they opened fire. They then got back in the car and drove away.
Four killed, seven wounded in King City shooting
When police officers arrived, they found three men in the front yard. They had all died from gunshot wounds.
They also found four others who had been shot, including a 20-year-old woman who was taken by someone else to the Mee Memorial Hospital. She was pronounced dead from her injuries.
Initially, police said three others had been wounded, but that number has since been updated to seven. All were taken to hospitals within Monterey County, with two in a critical condition as of Tuesday morning.
The identities of the victims have not been released as of Tuesday morning.
The suspects were wearing masks
The three shooters were all wearing dark clothing, as well as dark-coloured masks, the police department said.
Investigators have also not revealed any more about their identities.
In an update late Sunday night, the police department said the suspects should be “considered armed and dangerous” and warned locals to stay away from anyone matching the description.
Police offer $20,000 reward for information
In an update on Monday night, the King City Police Department said it was offering a reward of $20,000 for information on the case, which leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
Anyone with additional information is being asked to contact King City Police Department Sergeant Josh Partida at 831-386-5988 or jpartida@kingcity.com. Alternatively, residents can use the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME anonymously.
Another mass shooting in the US
According to the Gun Violence Archive’s definition that a mass shooting involves four or more victims, the incident in King City becomes the 70th such incident in the United States in 2024.
“The murders and shootings that occurred yesterday evening were a terrible tragedy for our entire community,” King City Mayor Mike LeBarre said on Monday. “We are heartbroken and share our deepest sympathy with the family and friends of those who were killed by this ruthless act of violence.
“We want to respect the privacy of the families that are suffering, but please know the City is here to help provide or access any resources that would be of assistance and support.”
On Sunday there was at least one other mass shooting event at a nightclub in Mississippi. In that incident, one person was killed and 12 people were injured.
Three others were recorded on Saturday in Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.
In 2023, there were 656 mass shootings across the US.