Sentinel staff report–
Claims circulating on social media that a second gunman later died after a fatal May 23 shooting on Birdcage Street have been deemed to be misinformation, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department.
Prior story: Police investigating fatal Monday-night gun battle in Citrus Heights
The rumor appears to have started on Tuesday, June 1. Police Lt. Chad Morris told The Sentinel in an email Saturday that he was aware of the claim being made on Facebook and said “it was untrue when we checked on Tuesday/Wednesday.” He said the department was informed that “the suspect was released from the hospital on Thursday.”
The suspect is one of two 20-year-olds involved in the shooting. The first man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second man was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Asked whether the living suspect is expected to face charges, Morris said the case has been submitted to the District Attorney’s office for review and issuance of an arrest warrant. He said final charges, “if filed, will be determined by the DA’s office.”
In a news release about the incident, police said the shooting is not believed to be random act and that the two parties involved “likely knew each other.” The department has not released additional information since the shooting, but said preliminary information showed the two men “appeared to be shooting at each other.”
