‘Praying for Sacramento’: Kings react to downtown mass shooting before game vs. Warriors

The Kings issued a statement Sunday as Sacramento awoke to news of a deadly mass shooting after six people were killed and 12 others wounded a few blocks from the team’s downtown arena.

“Our community grieves as we mourn those lost today senselessly killed by gun violence,” the Kings said. “Our prayers are with those who have been wounded and heart goes out to all the families in anguish affected by this devastating act.”

A team spokesman said the Kings will play the Golden State Warriors as scheduled at 6 p.m. Sunday at Golden 1 Center. There will be a moment of silence before the game.

Fans attending the game could encounter road closures and a heavy police presence as investigators continue to process a large crime scene that covered a two-by-four-block area around 10th and K streets, three blocks east of the arena.

Police Chief Kathy Lester confirmed six people were killed when gunfire erupted shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday. The shooting occurred as people were leaving bars and nightclubs in the area.

Lester said it was not clear if the victims were deliberately targeted or how many shooters were involved. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects.

Kings center Alex Len was seen walking around the area as police continued to investigate shortly before noon Sunday. Len, one of two NBA players born in Ukraine, has played with a heavy heart in recent weeks following Russia’s attack on his homeland.

Former Kings forward/center Harry Giles III reacted to the shooting on social media, tweeting: “Prayers up for Sacramento.”

Kings forward Harrison Barnes also expressed his thoughts on Twitter.

“Praying for Sacramento,” Barnes said. “This senseless violence has to end. My condolences to the victims and their families.”

This story was originally published April 3, 2022 at 2:52 PM with the headline "‘Praying for Sacramento’: Kings react to downtown mass shooting before game vs. Warriors."

Jason Anderson

The Sacramento Bee

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Jason Anderson is The Sacramento Bee’s Kings beat writer. He is a Sacramento native and a graduate of Fresno State, where he studied journalism and college basketball under the late Jerry Tarkanian.