Spring Break
Student on life support after shooting at bar parking lot near campus
Police described victim as innocent bystander
The State Hornet staff
Issue date: 5/2/07 Section: News
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A Sacramento State female student is on life support as a result from a 1 a.m. shooting on Wednesday at the Library Eats and Drinks bar, located across from the university's Folsom Boulevard entrance, according to multiple sources.
The 20-year-old victim was a junior journalism major and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a black sorority, campus officials said. The Bay Area native graduated in 2004 from James Logan High School, located in Union City.
Police have yet to release her name, and Vice President of Student Affairs Lori Varlotta said the name of the student has not been released by the university at the request of her family.
Officer Konrad Von Schoech of the Sacramento City Police Department said the department received calls about the shooting at 12:58 a.m.
After a dispute inside the bar moved into the parking lot, witnesses said several gunshots were fired, and the woman, who was called an innocent bystander, was struck in the neck while in her car.
The woman was transferred to the UC Davis Medical Center after the shooting, and The State Hornet was informed about her condition after 7 p.m.
The incident began inside the nightclub when two groups of suspected gang members started a fight and were later escorted outside by security, according to a Sacramento City Police press release.
In the parking lot, a member of one of the groups pulled out a firearm and the other group got into its car and sped off, police said.
Sac State has reserved the University Union Ballroom for friends and family members to gather and mourn.
Clinical psychologists from the Counseling Center will be on hand to console mourners, and the Ballroom will be open throughout the night until 6 a.m., Varlotta said.
"We will make counseling services available to any student, group or class on campus," Varlotta said.
In an e-mail to the campus community, President Alexander Gonzalez conveyed empathy for the victim.
"I would like to express our shock and sadness about the shooting of one of our students earlier this morning near campus," he said.
Gonzalez said it is important for the campus community to come together to support the family.
"This is a sad day for the campus," Gonzalez said. "It will be important in the days and weeks ahead that we are supportive of those who have been deeply affected."
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-7-inch man between 20 and 25, and was last seen wearing a jacket with a fur collar.
It is unknown whether the suspect is affiliated with Sac State.
"He may have been driving a four-door Sedan with no plates," the University Police press release stated.
Von Schoech said he doesn't know if any previous violent incidences have occurred at the bar.
"This seems to be one act, not an ongoing incident," Von Schoech said.
University Police urges the campus community to be alert to their surroundings and to report suspicious activities.
In response to the event, Lt. Daniel Davis said University Police is enhancing patrols and has posted alert bulletins around campus.
The Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded, and investigators believe that the victim was not associated with the two feuding groups.
Sacramento City Police urges anyone who has any knowledge of the incident or suspects to contact them.
Sacramento City Police can be reached at (916) 264-5481. University Police can be reached at (916) 278-6851.
For further updates, check www.statehornet.com.
The State Hornet staff can be reached at news@statehornet.com
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