Sacramento police announce new suspect in mass shooting, say Martin brothers among shooters
Detectives are looking for another suspect they say is among five shooters who opened fire in a street gang shootout in downtown Sacramento earlier this month, killing six people and injuring 12 others.
Mtula Payton, 27, is wanted on multiple felony warrants, including domestic violence and gun charges, the Sacramento Police Department announced Tuesday afternoon in a news release.
“At this time, based on the evidence recovered, it appears Payton was among at least five shooters involved in the shooting,” police officials said in the news release.
Police said, for the first time, that evidence indicates that the Martin brothers — Dandrae Martin, 26, and Smiley Allen Martin, 27 — were among the shooters in the melee. Neither brother has been formally charged for their roles in the shooting; instead, the Martins face weapons-related charges.
“Our goal is to conduct as thorough an investigation as possible, so that the District Attorney has all the information she needs to present cases that will bring justice to the families of the victims and our entire community,” Police Chief Kathy Lester said in the news release. “The investigation has moved very quickly in this first week, and it will continue until we can present prosecutors and the public with a complete picture of this terrible crime.”
Another man, Daviyon Dawson, also was arrested on gun possession charges, but he has been released on bail and police have said a weapon they recovered in the arrest was not used in the shooting.
“Detectives continue to examine evidence, contact witnesses and interview involved parties to gain a complete understanding of the incident,” police said in the news release. “As this process continues, different and/or additional charges may apply. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will be reviewing all evidence to determine appropriate charges.”
Dandrae Martin remains in Sacramento County Main Jail while the older Martin has not been booked into the downtown facility and remains hospitalized after being among the 12 injured.
The detectives believe the brazen shooting was triggered by a dispute between at least two groups of men affiliated with local street gangs. Police said at least five shooters were involved in the gunfight, but there could be more.
Investigators only recovered one gun at the shooting scene, and they believe other guns were apparently removed before officers arrived.
An arrest warrant for Payton stems from an April 2 domestic violence incident. Police said officers were called to a home of one of Payton’s relatives and found a woman with injuries she said Payton had inflicted. Officers did not find Payton at the home, but they submitted a report documenting the incident that resulted in an arrest warrant.
“We are examining all aspects of this incident to understand it as thoroughly as possible,” police said about the reported domestic violence.
Investigators asked any witnesses with information about this shooting investigation to call officers at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips website and app.
