On Picnic Day, our city was shaken by a tragic act of violence that left three people shot in Community Park. The shootings ruptured the sense of safety and peace that defines our city. 

Our priority as elected officials is first and foremost to protect people. When an event like this occurs, we must identify areas of improvement and take immediate steps to examine how we can do better. We acknowledge the suffering of the gunshot victims, everyone who was in the park, and everyone in the city who feared for themselves or their loved ones that day. We know that the pain has not passed, and that many of us will carry the images, sounds, and emotions of that day for a long time to come. 

We understand that many of you felt unseen and unheard by the wording of our first public statement. The Council is committed to doing better going forward. We are here not just to lead, but also to listen and respond appropriately with the information you need to understand what is happening in our community. 

Many children and families were in the area of Community Park that day, including those playing in Little League games. Gun violence is terrifying for anyone, but especially so for children. No one should have to experience gun violence and such extremes of fear, helplessness, and confusion, especially in spaces they trust to be safe. A brief list of mental health resources for our community, including from DJUSD, is at the bottom of this message. If you need additional assistance connecting to resources, please feel free to reach out to us. 

Based on preliminary information the shooting appears to be a targeted one-time event, and we do not have evidence or reason to believe that our community is at ongoing risk related to the incident. While no suspect has been detained, the Davis Police Department (DPD) has no reason to believe the suspect is currently in Davis. The DPD has released a description of one of the shooters involved. Please see their statement on social media for the information.  The DPD will continue to update the public as the investigation progresses. 

With respect to future Picnic Days, we are starting conversations immediately with UC Davis on what needs to be done to ensure Picnic Day is a safe and family-friendly event for everyone in our community. There have been many questions from our community related to the issuance of permits on Picnic Day.  We are committed to working closely with DPD and our staff team to examine that process and make improvements. This means that the scale and type of future gatherings must be commensurate with the ability of our Police Department to enforce the law and protect our community. 

Finally, we want to express deep gratitude to first responders, mutual aid partners, City staff, and bystanders who stepped in with courage and compassion during the shooting, especially those who serve on the Davis Police Department and the Davis Fire Department. 

This has been one of the most painful moments in our city’s recent history. We do not yet have all the answers, but our commitment to every resident, every child and every family is unwavering. We will meet this moment together with honesty and resolve. 

Bapu Vaitla, Mayor
Josh Chapman, City Councilmember
On behalf of the Davis City Council

For mental health and emotional well-being resources, visit: www.cityofdavis.org/Home/Components/News/News/9001 or complete the Davis Joint Unified School District’s social emotional support form at: https://www.djusd.net/_help/report_a_safety_concern.