The Lancaster community was reeling from a rash of shootings that left four people dead within 24 hours, prompting the mayor to decry what he called a lack of adequate policing in the community.
The latest shooting occurred around 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, in the 800 block of East Avenue J-12, where two men were found with fatal gunshot wounds.
A short time later, investigators learned that additional gunshot victims began showing up at an area emergency room, likely from the same shooting. As of mid-morning, the Sheriff’s Department had identified an additional five victims who were shot, but all were alive and in stable condition.
“All the victims (from that shooting) were at the same location when the shooting first occurred,” according to the agency.
“Homicide detectives have learned this shooting is gang-related and are currently gathering more information on any suspects and continuing to work the scene,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
The rash of violence began around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, when a man was wounded in a shooting at Avenue J-8 and 30th Street West.
Less than 90 minutes later, a man was fatally shot in the 45600 block of Sierra Highway. Then, that same evening at 9:20, a man was fatally shot in the 400 block of Avenue L.
It was unclear if there was any link between the shootings.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said he was outraged over the violence, and demanded an increase in the Sheriff’s Department presence in the community.
“We’re running at 50% of the number of deputies that we need,” Parris told ABC7. “They knew this was going to happen. They knew it was building. For whatever reason, the county will not give us enough officers to protect this community, even though we pay for it.”
Parris said county officials need to do more to combat crime in the city, even if it meant bringing in the National Guard.
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