By Mike Hazlip–
Authorities are investigating the death of a 26-year-old Citrus Heights resident who was shot to death Monday while visiting a grave site in the small Bay Area town of Colma.
Officers were dispatched to reports of a shooting in Olivet Memorial Park at about 9:30 p.m. on June 8, where they found Jaquan Cheatham suffering from gunshot wounds.
Colma police said in a media release Monday that Cheatham was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries where he later succumbed to his wounds.
“Apparently he was visiting a grave site, memorializing someone who was buried there,” said Colma Police Cmdr. Sherwin Lum in an interview with Fox affiliate KTVU, in Oakland. Police said the shooting is under investigation and have confirmed there were witnesses.
Family members of Cheatham took to social media to express their grief.
“Never would have thought, “Cheatham’s mother, said, adding several broken-heart emojis. “Please pray for me. I’m so sick. Rest Easy Son. lost my baby lastnite.”
Kimberly Grizzell, Cheatham’s aunt, said the family is devastated.
“Pls FAMILY SHOWER UR LOVE AND PRAYERS FOR MY SISTER AND OUR FAMILY AT THIS DEVASTATING TIME IN OUR LIVES,” Grizzell wrote on social media. “REST EASY NEPHEW.”
Cheatham’s death is reportedly the first homicide in 27 years for the small town six miles south of San Francisco, in San Mateo County. Colma is known for its many cemeteries, where the dead outnumber the living in the two-square-mile city.
Police said a motive is unclear, but they believe it is an isolated incident and are working with the San Mateo county district attorney in the investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Colma police detectives at 650-997-8321 or the anonymous tip line at 650-997-8337.
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Police said Citrus Heights resident Jaquan Cheatham, 26, was shot to death Monday while visiting a grave site in a small Bay Area town.
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