One man died and seven others were injured in a shooting that occurred at a birthday party in Sacramento on Saturday, UPI reported.
The incident occurred at Peregrine Park around 5 p.m. and investigators believe it was gang-related.
"The suspects fired at a specific group in the party, and subjects from the party shot back at the suspects," said Officer Michele Gigante, a police spokeswoman.
According the The Sacramento Bee, the lone victim was 28-year-old Jacoby James, whom relatives remembered as a loving father.
His cousin, Tiffany James, told the newspaper he attended the birthday party with his son and does not believe he was an intended target.
"I don't think it was meant for him," she said. "He was very humble, and he just lived with his family."
Gigante said the seven others who were wounded -- including a 7-year-old girl -- did not suffer from life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said at least 20 people were at the party when a vehicle pulled up with several men who got out of the car and began opening fire. Additionally, some of the party guests returned fire.
After the exchange of gunfire, the group that approached the party fled the scene. According to UPI, investigators are asking nearby residents for any surveillance footage in the neighborhood that could track the car.
No arrests have been made and police are still searching for suspects.
"It's usually very peaceful, and the park is packed on the weekends," resident Alraj Singh told the Bee. "Now we don't feel safe to take our kid over there anymore."
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the department's dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or a crime hotline at (916) 443-4357.
