Sacramento, California – A car accident in a Sacramento neighborhood on Thursday afternoon led to a chaotic series of events that included violence, gunshots, and multiple arrests. What started as reports of a car crash quickly turned into a robbery, a shooting, and an attack that made emergency responders leave for their own safety, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
Around 5:33 p.m., deputies were sent to the area around Fulton Avenue and Hurley Way after getting calls about a car crash that had turned into an altercation. While police were on their way, other reports came in indicating that someone at the location was shooting a gun into a crowd, which made people extremely concerned about their own safety.
When Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the scene, they found that three suspects had been driving erratically through a parking lot before losing control and colliding. The car flipped over on its side, which caught the attention of people nearby. The people inside were 25-year-old Avieon Spencer, 35-year-old Antwon Pace, and a 14-year-old boy. Pace looked injured in the incident, but Spencer and the minor got out of the car on their own.
Tensions rose as people nearby started filming the aftermath on their phones. According to investigators, the suspects got upset at the people who were watching and challenged them. A man was attacked and had his phone stolen during the fight. The suspects also approached a woman, but they couldn’t get her phone.
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When witnesses tried to physically stop Spencer from hurting anyone else, an argument broke out. Things became a lot worse at that time. Authorities claim the young person got a gun and started shooting during the fight. A bullet hit one person and injured them. The bullets also hit a Sacramento Metro Fire engine that had come to help.
Firefighters had to leave their engine and run away on foot because of the sudden danger. Firefighters were not hurt, even though their vehicle was hit. The shooting made the response more urgent as deputies worked to protect the area and find the shooters.
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After the shots were fired, Spencer and the young person ran away from the area in different directions. The deputies who responded soon found and arrested the teenager nearby. A sheriff’s K9 team was sent to look for Spencer, who had run away into a neighborhood. K9 Billy was able to find him in his hiding spot and he was arrested without further incident.
Before being sent to the Sacramento County Main Jail on charges of robbery and delaying a public official, Spencer was given a medical checkup. He was given a $50,000 bail and is supposed to go to court on January 26. The deputies also found the gun that they think was used in the shooting.
The 14-year-old suspect was booked into Sacramento County Juvenile Hall on charges including assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a firefighter with a firearm. Pace was sent to a nearby hospital to get medical care for injuries he got in the incident. Once medically cleared, he is expected to be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on outstanding warrants.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities continue to review evidence and statements from witnesses involved in the violent chain of events.