Davis police arrest Sacramento man in shooting during UC Davis Picnic Day
Detectives on Friday morning arrested a Sacramento man suspected of being involved a shooting last month during UC Davis’ Picnic Day events at a neighborhood park, where three people were wounded by gunfire as shots rang out on a Saturday afternoon and large crowds scattered.
Joseph Davis, 19, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon (a firearm) in connection with last month’s shooting at the park, the Davis Police Department announced in a news release.
Davis police spokesperson Lt. Dan Beckwith said the man arrested is not a UC Davis student.
Davis police detectives, with help from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant and an arrest warrant for Davis on Friday at his home.
He also faces a charge of being in possession of an illegal assault rifle after detectives found at Davis’ home a loaded firearm, police said. Davis was booked at the Yolo County Jail.
Beckwith said the shooting investigation will continue as detectives try to identify others who were involved in the shooting.
Shortly before 3 p.m. on April 12, police officers patrolling Community Park at 201 E. 14th St. heard gunshots.
Two teenagers and a 24-year-old person suffered what police described as “non-life threatening” wounds after gunfire broke out at Community Park during UC Davis’ flagship celebration. All three of them were taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
In the hours after the shooting, police said at least one person was trampled as the crowds scattered. On Friday, Beckwith said investigators were still trying to confirm whether someone was tramped and injured at the park.
The police spokesperson said the detectives were still investigating, and he did not have any details to release about what circumstances might have led to the shooting.
Picnic Day brings about 70,000 people annually to the city. A fraternity hosted a party at Community Park off campus that drew hundreds of people.
Several days after the shooting, the Davis Police Department announced in a news release that “evidence” showed more than one shooter was “involved in the incident.” Beckwith said on Friday that detectives were still trying to determine exactly how many people were involved in the shooting.
Picnic Day has been a tradition in Davis since 1909 in what UC Davis calls the “crown jewel” event of its campus. It serves as the annual open house for the campus with some 70,000 attendees and includes a parade, battle of the bands, fashion show and student organization fair.
Police said additional neighboring law enforcement agencies were already in Davis at the time of the shooting because they were assisting with Picnic Day.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM.
