Grant High School student killed in Sacramento shooting, suspect on the loose
SACRAMENTO -- A high school student was killed in a shooting early Sunday morning in Sacramento, just weeks before his graduation.
Officers responded to the 3100 block of Buchman Street shortly before 1 a.m. where they found an 18-year-old man with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, the man died on the scene.
The family confirmed to CBS13 that the victim was Jeremiah Walker, who was going to graduate from Grant High School in two weeks.
The school just had its prom last weekend and now Walker's family is planning his funeral.
One neighbor said they believed this was a drive-by shooting. They remember hearing cars speeding fast and thinking the gunshots were a car crash.
Another neighbor said they heard anywhere from six to eight gunshots around 1 a.m.
"I immediately went back into the house and kissed my babies and smooched them," said Kristyn Lopez. "I don't know what the situation is or why it happened, but I know that no matter what the situation is, that kid, that person, has a family."
The Twin Rivers Unified School District released a statement Sunday evening following Walker's death:
"Our hearts ache as we mourn the tragic loss of one of our Twin Rivers Unified students to gun violence. Jeremiah Walker was a senior at Grant Union High School. This is an incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jeremiah's family and friends who are going through unimaginable pain.
As we mourn together, we will honor Jeremiah's memory by striving to create a safer, more compassionate and peaceful environment for all, especially our children. But we can't do it alone. It's going to take every member of the community working together to prevent these senseless acts of violence that continue to shatter far too many families.
In the wake of this tragedy, the District's Crisis Intervention Team will be at Grant Union High School on Monday as we come together to grieve and heal."
Homicide detectives took over the investigation.
The police department wants everyone to be vigilant as a suspect is on the loose.
Police are asking neighbors and witnesses to step forward with any video or information that can lead to an arrest.