MOST POPULAR: Video, stories and more
SIGN-UP: Get breaking news sent to you from ABC7 News
Richmond police are looking into the possibility that while the crimes were not committed by the same group of people, they may have been organized by the same people in retaliation for shootings earlier this week. In any case it was a blood bath in Richmond with seven people being shot and two killed.
Three shootings in the time span of about an hour -- have police looking to see if they have something in common.
"We are looking to see if they are related in that they are retaliation for other shootings that have happened this week," said Richmond Police Lieutenant Mark Gagan.
At the Hartnett Apartments in Richmond the bullet holes are everywhere, in walls, through windows, one officer said he counted more than 86 bullet casings.
There was also a lot of evidence in a blue sedan; four people in or near it were shot, one 28-year-old man is dead, the others were airlifted to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
An hour earlier, a 40-year-old man was shot and killed inside his car on the 800 block of Alamo; an 18-year-old woman inside the car was grazed in the hand and head. About the same time a man was wounded on 6th Street.
All available officers were tied up, so SWAT team members were called out dressed in camouflage, armed with automatic rifles.
"Normally they're called out for very critical incidents like a hostage situation or an entry -- a search warrant where we think danger and violence is eminent. But in this case they are also just very good at being tactical as far as contacting suspects on the street corners and responding to crimes that are in progress," said Gagan.
If all this carnage was retaliation, there may be more to come, and Richmond police are trying to prepare.
"We are meeting right now to talk about what additional deployment will be needed in the next shift and then for the next 24 hours to ensure that we are ready for any further violence that may occur," said Gagan.
Investigators this morning are asking for the public's help by passing along any information to the Richmond police homicide section at (510) 620-6612 during business hours, or Sgt. Lori Curran at (510) 620-6647. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can provide information through a 24-hour anonymous tip line at (510) 232-TIPS, or (510) 232-8477.
Today's latest headlines | ABC7 News on your phone
Follow us on Twitter | Fan us on Facebook | Get our free widget
