By Sara Beth Williams–
Saturday night, Citrus Heights Police officers responded to reports of gunshots heard within the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve near the end of the city’s annual patriotic celebration, a spokesperson with the Citrus Heights Police Department confirmed.
While Citrus Heights Police officers were providing security and engaging with attendees during the city’s annual Stars and Stripes celebration at Van Maren Park, officers were alerted to reports of possible gunshots heard just before 10 p.m., coming from the greenbelt between Van Maren Park and Costco.
According to publicly available Citrus Heights Police Department radio transmissions, officers were alerted to sounds believed to be gunshots that were described as “distinct from the fireworks” about five to six minutes after the planned professional aerial fireworks display began.
Officers immediately canvassed the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve and requested air support to assist in searching the area. A heavy presence of officers and police cruisers could be seen on site in the Stock Ranch Nature Preserve following the conclusion of the event.
According to radio transmissions, officers temporarily closed the pedestrian bridge prior to the event’s conclusion, tracked an individual in the greenbelt, and searched the area beneath the bridge and surrounding greenbelt.
Police said Monday morning that officers contacted multiple individuals who were in the greenbelt at the time and were unable to confirm that a crime had occurred. There were no direct witnesses, and officers did not locate any victims or suspects, police said.
