Woman killed in cemetery shooting identified as Sacramento State student

The 18-year-old woman who was shot and killed Monday at a Sacramento cemetery has been identified as Sacramento State student Zarrie Allen.

The university’s president, Robert S. Nelsen, released a statement about the student, sharing his condolences and condemning gun violence.

“Our hearts are with the family and friends of Zarrie as they mourn this devastating loss,” Nelsen wrote. “We stand with the Sacramento community in demanding justice for her killing and action focused on ending gun violence.”

Allen was entering her second year at Sacramento State and had hoped to earn a degree in nursing. She was originally from Richmond, where Nelsen said she was actively involved.

The shooting occurred just after 5 p.m. Monday at the Sacramento Memorial Lawn Cemetery in the 5300 block of 47th Avenue. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, but believes it may have been gang-related and that Allen was not the intended target.

A candlelight vigil for Allen will occur at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the corner of El Paraiso Avenue and Stockton Boulevard.

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 5:18 PM.