Seven wounded in Riverside nightclub shooting
An investigation was continuing today into a shooting that erupted during a Halloween party at a downtown Riverside nightclub, leaving seven people injured and police with the job of trying to
track down the perpetrators.
The gunfire was reported just after midnight at the Sevilla Nightclub in the 3200 block of Mission Inn Avenue, near Mulberry Street, according to Riverside police.
The nightclub had advertised a Sunday evening Halloween party on social media, calling it “The Purge,” in what appears to be a reference to the movie.
Witnesses said the party was in full swing when gunfire erupted at the club turning a night of Halloween fun into real fear and pandemonium. A stampede for the exits ensued, and patrol officers swarmed the location moments later, detaining multiple people for questioning.
“When I heard that we all ran and we got on the floor,” one witness said. “When i was coming out to smoke a cigarette the gunshots came off and I’m like come on best friend come on and they came inside and started shooting and everybody was scattered trying to get out trying to get out.”
Officers found two victims with gunshot wounds, and both were taken to nearby Riverside Community Hospital for treatment. Another five people showed up at hospitals seeking treatment for”gunshot injuries” suffered at the club, said Officer Ryan Railsback.
None of the victims’ wounds were life-threatening, he said.
“Detectives from our gang unit are following up on leads to identify the suspects,” Railsback said this afternoon.
The restaurant remained an active crime scene, with the building and parking lot cordoned off.
According to reports, security guards staffed the event and searched guests for weapons.
Authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting to call Detective Trevor Childers at (951) 353-7130, Detective Karla Corbett at (951) 353-7134, or email information to rpdtips@riversideca.gov.
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