Four people were injured on Saturday afternoon when gunfire erupted at a popular festival in Davis, California. The shooting occurred during Picnic Day, a traditional spring gathering at Community Park, which is located near the UC Davis campus.
The chaos began shortly before 3 p.m., when witnesses reported hearing a series of loud noises that some thought were firecrackers. In a panic, around 500 to 600 attendees fled the park, many appearing distressed. Police and emergency responders described the scene as a “stampede,” with reports of people being trampled in the rush to escape.
Authorities later confirmed that three people had suffered gunshot wounds, while another individual was injured during the stampede. Among the victims was a 15-year-old boy who was treated for a gunshot wound to his foot. The injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and all four victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The Davis Police Department arrived on the scene shortly after the shots were fired. Officers reported that they were still searching for a suspect in the shooting later that afternoon. Lt. Dan Beckwith of the Davis Police Department referred to the incident as an unusual occurrence for the city, emphasizing that Davis remains a generally safe and family-friendly environment.
Picnic Day is an annual event that includes a parade, a battle of the bands, and various activities aimed at prospective students and their families. This year’s event was expected to attract large crowds, and attendees described the atmosphere as festive prior to the shooting.
As the police worked to secure the area, a helicopter circled overhead, and officers used loudspeakers to instruct people to leave the park and school grounds. Some attendees expressed shock and fear, recalling the moments of confusion and panic that followed the gunfire.
In the aftermath, the city of Davis is appealing to the public for any information related to the shooting, encouraging witnesses to come forward. The incident has left many in the community shaken, highlighting the ongoing concerns about safety at public events.