A drive-by shooting in Fremont late Friday left two people dead, police said on Saturday morning.
Around 11:12 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting on the 6000 block of Stevenson Boulevard.
According to police, two people were in a large parking lot when someone in a vehicle approached them. An occupant of the vehicle then opened fire and struck them.
Police said one person died at the scene, and another victim died at the hospital.
The police department initially reported there was a third victim in the hospital. However, in an updated news release issued Saturday afternoon, police stated that there is no third victim.
“It’s very shocking, very hard to hear,” said Carlo Figueroa, a swimming instructor at the Hippo Swim Club located a few doors down from the banquet hall. “The most shocking part to me is that [the shooting happened] right outside the place that I come [to work] every day.”
Figueroa described the area as normally quiet.
“It’s crazy to me. This area has always been very safe, a lot of nice people around here,” he said.
Another Fremont resident, Rex, said the violence was unexpected.
“Definitely terrible, shocking news. I’d never expect this would happen here. Fremont, in general, is a quiet, safe place, especially here. Never expect someone would drive by and randomly kill. That’s really, really terrible.”
Police released portions of radio traffic between a 911 dispatcher and responding officers. One officer reported, “about 100 people still inside the building. Negative injuries inside.”
While nearby businesses told CBS News Bay Area the gathering may have been a wedding reception, police have not confirmed the nature of the event. Witnesses said the parking lot was full, with many people attending.
The owner of the banquet hall, Jamal Saddiqi, declined to comment. When approached by CBS News Bay Area in front of the business, he shut the door without answering questions.
This is not the first time violence has erupted at the Royal Palace Banquet Hall. In May 2017, a wedding with an estimated 900 guests ended in multiple fights. Police said at the time, about 70 people were involved, and one man was beaten so badly he was left in a coma.
Figueroa said Friday’s shooting has left him uneasy. “I pray for the families of the victims. It’s a sad thing to hear and I really hope that the victims can rest peacefully,” he said.
Police said they are investigating and canvassing the area for witnesses and any potential security footage.
As of Saturday, no arrests had been made. Fremont police are asking anyone with information to contact them. It is the city’s third and fourth homicide this year, police said.
Jose Fabian
Jose Fabian is a web producer for CBS Bay Area where he reports on local crime, politics and breaking news. He studied political science and journalism at Sacramento State and was born and raised in Northern California.
