Police Search For Additional Suspect, Mtula Payton, In Deadly Downtown Sacramento Shooting
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sacramento police have identified and are searching for another suspect believed to be among at least five shooters in the April 3 mass shooting on K Street.
Mtula Payton, 24 (credit: Sacramento Police Department)
Mtula Payton, 27, is wanted on multiple felony warrants, including domestic violence and gun charges. The Sacramento Police Department said Payton's whereabouts are currently unknown and that multiple attempts to detain and arrest him have already been made to no avail.
Payton's domestic violence warrant stems from an April 2, 2022, incident, police said.
"There are just a lot of unknowns right now and it's important to let the police do a thorough investigation," said former Deputy District Attorney Alana Matthews.
Matthews said investigators have their hands full with plenty of videos and physical evidence to search through.
"We have six victims who were shot and over 100 shell casings, so I think that gives us evidence they can consider in the investigation," she said.
So far, three people have been arrested in the aftermath of the shooting that left six dead and several others injured. Two of those suspects are brothers Smiley, 27, and Dandrae Martin, 26, who are suspected of firing shots during the shooting along with Payton and at least two others who have not yet been identified.
Daviyon Dawson was also arrested after being found with a gun near the scene but he is not accused of firing it.
Sacramento police maintain that they believe the tragic shooting was a result of an altercation between gang members.
"Certainly, it is judicial efficacy to try everyone together," Matthews said. "If you try them separately, everyone's going to point the finger at someone else."
But while investigators work, Matthews says it's time for the community to do their part, too.
"We have an epidemic of guns on the street," she said. "It's a time for community members, faith leaders, businesses, everyone to come together, so let's do our job."
Anyone with information on Payton's whereabouts to contact the Sacramento police dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357).